PJC Music School

⏪ August Catch-Up Series ⏯️

With no new performances being recorded over the summer break, August always gives me the perfect opportunity to catch up on some wonderful student performances that haven't yet featured on our PJC Daily Showcase. 🎥

Today's performance takes us all the way back to March, when G.M. performed The Muppet Show Theme as part of her ABRSM Grade 3 Piano exam, where she achieved a MERIT. 🎉

I honestly can't believe this one has been waiting in the archives for so long. It's such a fun piece to play, packed with tricky rhythms, syncopations and character, and G.M. does a fantastic job of bringing it to life. 🎹

I hope you enjoy this brilliant performance as much as I do! 🩷🧡💙

We're enjoying a little family holiday at Wollaton Hall and came across a fascinating exhibition about the origins of the song Greensleeves. 💚

I couldn't resist having a go on this beautiful harp! Unfortunately, the chromatic changes in Greensleeves mean you can't actually play the whole tune on an instrument like this, but I managed a decent attempt at the chorus and improvised the ending to give it a sense of closure! 😂🎶

Adding the Sirátó and Wedding Dance 💔💍

Last night, we heard how our Intermediate students brought Bartók's The Night's Music to life through the sounds of frogs, flowers and rippling water. Tonight, our Advanced students take us even deeper into this extraordinary musical landscape. 🇭🇺

As well as learning the pebble-in-the-water, flower and frog motifs, they also explored the Sirátó melody- a Hungarian folk lament, drifting through the summer evening from a nearby house, where a group of women grieve the loss of a loved one. As the listener continues on their journey, the atmosphere shifts once more as a lively Wedding Dance bursts into life, bringing a joyful, rhythmic contrast. 🎶

Harvey has completely embraced Bartók's distinctive 20th-century style. Right from the opening, he tackles one of the work's most demanding techniques: repeating the five-note backdrop motif while accenting a different note on each repetition, just as Bartók instructs in the score. It's a deceptively difficult challenge that requires both technical control and musical understanding. 🎹

I especially love how Harvey has immersed himself in the academic side of this project. Rather than simply learning the notes, he has explored the composer's intentions and used them to create a performance full of atmosphere, colour and imagination. 🩷🧡💙

Thank you, Joseph, for this beautiful end of term gift! It was such a thoughtful surprise, and I love the creativity behind it! 🙏🏼

Joseph’s clever mummy owns , so do check out her page for more beautiful designs and creations! ✨

🇭🇺 Seb channels his inner Bartók 🇭🇺

For our PJC Composer of the Month in July, our Intermediate students explored The Night's Music by Béla Bartók. 🌙

During PJC Composer Time (which takes place in the last five minutes of each lesson) Seb learned several short melodic ideas from this piece. These chromatic motifs cover a wide pitch range and are far more challenging to learn than they first appear. 🎹

Once the motifs had been mastered, the creative challenge began. Seb used them as the foundation for his own arrangement in a 20th Century classical style, creating his own musical picture. We also encouraged him to think beyond just the notes and consider how his physical movements could enhance the mood and atmosphere. I loved the sense of drama and purpose he brought to his playing, especially the wonderful ending. 👏🏼

As you listen, how many frogs, flowers and pebbles in the water can you hear over the gentle five-note backdrop of a Hungarian summer's night? 🌙🐸💧🌸

Well done, Sebastian! You have really found your niche in this contemporary classical style- full of drama, emotion and expression. 🩷🧡💙

☂️ A Practically Perfect Performance ☂️

For tonight's PJC Daily Showcase, here is Rosa performing The Place Where Lost Things Go from Mary Poppins Returns as part of her ABRSM Grade 3 Musical Theatre Singing exam. 🎭✨

This is such a beautiful song to sing, but it isn't an easy one. The melody takes lots of unexpected twists and turns, so accurate pitching and good musicianship are essential. Rosa handles it brilliantly, singing with lovely expression and a beautifully controlled voice throughout. 👏🏼

A huge congratulations to Rosa on achieving a phenomenal DISTINCTION with an outstanding 138 marks for this exam. This is a fantastic result and a wonderful reflection of her talent, dedication and hard work. 🩷🧡💙

🌙 Bringing the Night to Life 🌙

Tonight's PJC Daily Showcase features Harvey performing In the Dead of Night by Edmund Jolliffe.✨

This is such a wonderful piece for a young pianist, full of atmosphere and character. Harvey captures the mood beautifully, showing great control and musical awareness throughout his performance. 🎹

Achieving a DISTINCTION at Initial Grade is a fantastic accomplishment, and a brilliant reflection of how much Harvey has developed as a musician. Well done, Harvey! 🩷🧡💙