This informal lunchtime concert was a joyful celebration of musical creativity, showcasing the compositions of Forms 3 and 4 as part of their music curriculum. 120 compositions had been submitted in Lent Term, thoughtfully reviewed by their music teacher, and 16 were selected to be performed live by Stradivarius Strings. This ensemble of older children were very engaged by the task of performing these pieces and demonstrated a genuine interest in the work of the younger children during rehearsal.
This exercise helped them develop their sense of musical phrasing, structure, and harmony.
The challenge for Form 3 was to compose an eight-bar melody which had a clear sense of key and a phrase structure. Ms Harris composed a piano accompaniment for those being performed live, following the harmonic and characterful features suggested by the children’s ideas. This exercise helped them develop their sense of musical phrasing, structure, and harmony. Form 4 took their compositions a step further, crafting both melody and accompaniment using treble and bass clefs. Ms. Harris then added a viola part, allowing the children to hear how their work could be expanded into a fuller arrangement.
Beyond the technical learning, this concert was a moment of pride and discovery for the young composers. Hearing their pieces performed live allowed them to experience their music in a new way—bringing it to life beyond the written notes on the page. It was an opportunity to understand how different instrumental textures interact, how their melodies can evoke emotion, and how their creative choices impact a live performance. The experience reinforced their confidence as composers, showing them that their ideas could be translated into something meaningful, expressive, and shared with an audience.
This composition concert truly embodied the essence of musical education at St John’s, celebrating not only the students’ growing technical abilities but also their creative voices. Each composition carried its own distinct character, reflecting the imagination and dedication of its young creator.
The concert was a beautiful testament to their artistic development—proof that with encouragement and opportunity, their musical ideas can flourish in ways that surprise even themselves.
