Two weeks and two musical trips, the first with Year 11 and 13 to see one of the A level set works, ‘The Rite of Spring’ by Stravinsky played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. Also in the programme was Ravel’s ‘Concerto for the left hand’ written for the Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein (brother of the famous philosopher) who lost his arm in the First World War and Delibes ‘Idylle de Printemps’. The students were also able to attend the pre-concert talk where the conductor spoke of Stravinsky’s folk music influences and how he approached conducting the ‘Rite of Spring’.

Our second trip took Year 9 music students to see a new adaption of ‘Carmen’ directed by Barrie Kosky at the Royal Opera House. The students were enthralled to hear the music live but debated the need for José to act so rashly by killing Carmen!