Over the last year we have been working closely with the Essex Music Service Bright Futures Project which has given our students experience of working with music technology, ipad apps as well as acoustic instruments. Students have the opportunity to make music themselves, learning new skills including keyboard, drums and ukulele. They also play pieces together as well as writing and performing group compositions.
In conjunction with the Royal Opera House students are also currently working on the Sing and Create Carmen Project, learning the basics of Opera and developing our own version of the Opera Carmen for performance at the end of the Summer Term.
There are regular rota music choices on a Friday afternoon including ukulele lessons, music technology sessions and guitar workshops.
In October 2017, 2 students from St Nick’s School, Daniel and Harley, had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of performing at the London Palladium as part of the Music Man Project’s ground breaking show.
This year’s show delivered more memorable landmark moments including a Guinness world record attempt and the debut of The Label, a mini-musical adaptation of the book by Caroline White. The performance featured hundreds of musicians with learning disabilities from across the south-east, on stage alongside some very special guests.
Daniel and Harley really enjoyed performing in the limelight and we look forward to more exciting events in partnership with the Music Man.
We are delighted this year to be offering the chance for a large number of our pupils to have 1:1 music tuition. So far we have had a great deal of interest in learning the drums, keyboards and guitars. We think it is vital for pupils to have the opportunity to learn how to play a musical instrument and look forward to the day when we can introduce the St Nicholas School Band!
The School Choir is now in its fourth year. During that time we have given performances at the Cliffs Pavilion, London Palladium, local care homes and at our annual Carol Service and Summer Fete. The choir currently numbers 25 pupils aged 11-16 and all pupils are welcome to join, regardless of singing experience.
On March 1st we took part in Southend Makes Music at the Palace Theatre which is a musical celebration with performance from local secondary schools in Southend. We sang a range of contemporary songs with some amazing solo performances. Although the pupils were quite nervous, it was a night to remember with many compliments paid to our pupils for their amazing performance. Well done!
