The first ever ISM Virtual Orchestra gathered musicians together from across our school and gave us a chance to relive the memories of our wonderful musical events.
Our Music Department has been working for a number of weeks on this grand project with more than 60 young musicians coming together to play one of the most famous songs of the 20th century.
Students in Upper Primary and Key Stage Three were asked to complete a video performance project or join the ISM Virtual Orchestra.
As a large number of students have instruments at home, we gave them the option to take part in a Virtual Orchestra. Students needed to record themselves performing their part to ‘Fever’ to a backing track.
[[\media\ISM Virtual Orchestra.mp4]]They then submit their video recording to Google Classroom, where it is matched up with all the other performers and shared. As well as the usual instruments such as trumpets, violins and pianos, there was the opportunity for students to dust off their recorders or use any other instrument they might find at home. The result was a full ensemble performance including performances from Year 5 upwards.
Rock School Solo Vocal Project
All students have access to arguably the most important and versatile instrument on the planet: their voice. ISM already offers students the chance to take the internationally recognised Rock School examinations, and over 100 students have passed these examinations over the past three years.
For this project, students have been given access to all of the exam repertoire and digital backing tracks, allowing them to gain experience performing with a real band or ensemble. They will create their own performance music video of their chosen song. Moreover, this could be the springboard to taking one of the examinations in the next session.
The senior choir has also moved online, with backing tracks and practice vocal parts available on the choir Google Classroom.
Written by James Langford, Head of Music, and Paul Tkachenko, Music Teacher
