The halls are once again filling with music at Calne’s Kingsbury Green Academy, shaking off the lasting effect of Covid-19 on the creative arts.
Demand for extra-curricular music lessons has soared, with over 50 pupils currently signed up for instrument lessons – having previously only reached 10, plus there are now 25 pupils in the school band, 30 in the choir and a dedicated clarinet group.
According to Head of Music Harry Burt, the ongoing effects of Covid have been seen across the wider department. He explained, “Peripatetic music teachers did a fantastic job online over the pandemic but there’s nothing like learning face to face and being able to create a connection between the teacher and student.
“Since we’ve returned, we’ve been focussing on building the culture of music back up. Previously, the younger years in the school would see the older students practising and they would be inspired to pick up instruments by seeing these role models. However, with less of this as a result of Covid, we’re looking at other ways to inspire this love of music and performing.
“Their passion and enthusiasm is growing all the time. We’re always talking to them about the opportunities available and trying to spot those who have potential.
“There’s now a lot of opportunity to be involved in the music scene at Kingsbury Green Academy. Last year we held our first school show in four years, Matilda, plus there’s performances and concerts throughout the year. Our entire concert band opened the show when we performed Matilda.
“We’re gearing up now for our new show, which will be the Addams Family musical. We’ve held auditions and cast the show, with rehearsals starting soon before we perform in the summer.”
The ongoing cost of living crisis is also now a significant factor in extra-curricular lessons. However, Kingsbury Green Academy has secured funding from Wiltshire Music Connect for lower income families to receive support for music lessons.
Harry continued, “There’s an instrument for everyone and we can find a teacher for pretty much any instrument. We do lots of piano practice in class, so that’s very popular but we also have lots of pupils learning the guitar, drums, and woodwind too.
“Music is more than just a subject, it’s a community within the school. The music department opens at break and lunch as a musical social space. We have practice rooms for those who want to practise and space for those who just want to spend their time singing songs and having a go.”