February open  mic was the first of 2026.  These open mics tend to be well attended, fun interactive sessions for 2 hours. The night included learning some traditional dancing from a grandmother. Comparing the same song sung in different styles and the effect that had on the audience.  We were taught to beatbox by a student. 

Hi my name is Gracie and welcome to my piano blog. This is for all of my new piano compositions for my new book.

Do you want to learn how to create powerful, memorable musical phrases that have historically been used to command attention and inspire action? Join our "Learn How to Write a Bugle Call" Workshops, specifically tailored with colour note pitches and boomwhackers making it suitable for any music student. 

A fanfare is a short, impressive musical piece designed to grab the listener's attention. They are characterised by a loud, bright, and exciting sound, fanfares are traditionally used to announce the arrival of an important person, the start of a ceremony, or a significant event.

Imagine you are at a big sports event or a royal parade. Right before the big moment, you hear a sound that grabs your attention! It's loud, bright, and exciting. That sound is probably a Fanfare.

Imagine you are standing in the middle of a busy London street over 150 years ago. Above the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages and the shouts of street sellers, a magnificent sound fills the air—the ringing of great church bells!

Learning to play the lower octave of the G major scale on the violin can be tricky for many Key Stage 2 students. This part of the scale requires careful finger placement and a good ear for pitch. Using videos that show the scale ascending and descending can make practicing easier and more effective. This post will guide you through simple steps to improve your violin scale skills, focusing on the lower octave of G major. Violin fingerboard diagram showing notes from G3 to G4

The Shaker tune "Simple Gifts" is more than just a melody; it is a profound representation of functional beauty, encapsulating the core values and philosophies of the Shaker community. Composed by Elder Joseph Brackett in the year 1848, this iconic song reflects the Shaker belief in "simplicity as a state of mind," which permeates not only their music but also their way of life, craftsmanship, and spiritual practices.

The Shaker tune "Simple Gifts" is more than just a melody; it is a masterclass in functional beauty. Composed by Joseph Brackett in 1848, the song’s structure reflects the Shaker philosophy of "simplicity as a state of mind." In this post, we provide a curated selection of audio and video interpretations to help you explore how this theme evolves across different musical landscapes.

If you’ve ever seen the high-kicking spectacle of Lord of the Dance, you know its powerful, driving theme tune. But what if you learned that the melody's history is far more surprising than you think, stretching from a quiet religious community to the world’s biggest stages?

The melody and lyrics of "Simple Gifts" embody a deep sense of tranquil simplicity and enduring faith. This hymn, originally penned in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett, a member of the Shaker community in Alfred, Maine, has transcended its humble origins to become a globally recognized folk tune, notably through its incorporation into Aaron Copland's quintessential American ballet, Appalachian Spring, and its modern revival in the Irish-American dance spectacular, Lord of the Da

"Day-O" traces its roots back to the work songs sung by Jamaican dock workers in the 19th century. These laborers, who mainly worked in the banana export industry, would sing to pass the time during their long hours. The lyrics reflect their everyday struggles, expressing their hope for the end of the workday and the joy of going home to their families.

If you've ever heard a piece of music that instantly made you think of a peaceful sunrise, there's a good chance it was "Morning" by the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

The nursery rhyme "St Paul's Steeple," was published in Walter Crane's beautifully illustrated The Baby's Opera. This book provides a delightful glimpse into a simpler time.This playful set of verses inadvertently introduces us to the profound and often awe-inspiring world of bell ringing – specifically, the captivating effects of a peal of bells and the intricate beauty of a carillon.