End of Spring Term | March 2026
What a wonderful spring term it has been! I am so proud of our young musicians. It has been a joy to watch them grow in confidence, musical understanding, and sheer enthusiasm week by week. I’d like to thank all the parents for their support in bringing their children to the music class each week. Also, thank you for encouraging the children at home. This makes a significant difference.
🐣 Mini Music Makers
Our littlest musicians have had a brilliant term! I have been delighted by how much they have improved moving to the music and responding by stopping and starting when the music tells them to – walking, clapping, and singing their way through favourites like Rain is Falling Down, Hot Cross Buns, and All the Little Ducks. We have been exploring high and low sounds with Pico the bird 🐦 and Basso the bear 🐻. A wonderful foundation for everything to come!
🌟 Music Adventurers
The Music Adventurers have made impressive strides this term. I have particularly enjoyed watching their pitch and pulse awareness develop; many children are now matching pitch much more accurately and some are confidently singing solos. Additionally, we have been marching, galloping, and working together in circle games. They are already beginning to use their “thinking voice”—hearing music quietly in their heads. Class favourites now include songs and rhymes like ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘SeeSaw’, ‘Teddy Bear’, and ‘Cobbler Cobbler’.
🏆 Music Stars
The Music Stars have had a lovely term, and I am very proud of them. Highlights have included singing in two parts in canon, sight-singing music from the stave, improvising their own melodies, and performing syncopated rhythms in Rocky Mountain. Furthermore, some members of the class have had a go at conducting – getting the others to sight-sing melodies while performing rhythms at the same time. They have made truly remarkable progress in their musicianship. The depth of understanding these children are developing is remarkable.
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🎉 Celebrations and Achievements
This term has brought some truly exciting news, and I want to take a moment to celebrate some outstanding individual achievements:
👏 Congratulations to Colin, who achieved distinction in his Grade 3 Music exam — a fantastic result and very well deserved, though he has been very modest about it! 🎉
👏 And well done to Henry, who achieved distinction in his Piano Intermediate exam. What a wonderful accomplishment! 🎉
👏 Congratulations to Isla, a former Music Stars pupil, who has had a remarkable few months. She has joined the Winchester Cathedral Junior Choir. Also, she has been accepted into Churcher’s College Senior School, and passed her audition for a performance of CATS, which I was lucky enough to watch back in December. Great achievements, Isla! Keep in touch. 🌟
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☀️ Summer Term 2026
The summer term begins on Saturday, April 18— I very much look forward to seeing you all again! Please note that on 2 May, due to the bank holiday weekend, classes will be held at St John’s Church, Southbourne, rather than our usual venue at Emsworth Community Centre. All other sessions take place at Emsworth Community Centre as normal. There will be a half-term break on 23 and 30 May
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Thank you for making this such a special term. Have a wonderful Easter break—keep singing and listening, and enjoy the music! 🎶
Vincent