Florence Venables, pupil at James Allen’s Girls’ School, describes her activities in the present music school, and explains why she is excited at the prospect of a new Community Music Centre at JAGS
Sketch of 'Wonderbrass' by Leonie Cronin
I started playing the guitar in Year 3 and decided to continue when I arrived at JAGS. In Year 7 I joined ‘Bel Canto’ and in Years 8 and 9 I sang in ‘Camerata’. I started my singing lessons in Year 8 and have so far completed Grades 3 and 4 and am about to do my Grade 5, which I’m really looking forward to.
When doing my music oral classes for Grade 3 the teacher asked if I’d like to play a new instrument, the tuba, as they didn’t have a player at the school and she thought I had a good ear, so I accepted with enthusiasm. I have already done Grade 1 and am about to do Grade 2.
I also joined ‘Wonderbrass’ last year, the music is more difficult than the music I have to play for my current grades but I love it.
A lot of my time is spent in the music school, and even though I decided not to take music for GCSE I still love to play and sing. We need a new music school; sometimes I sing in a portacabin, and even though they have small heaters they are still freezing in winter; I can see my breath while singing. I also play my tuba in a portacabin and because it isn’t soundproof, and my tuba’s quite loud I often interrupt other music lessons, as do other brass instruments. I play my guitar in one of the studios inside and I am surrounded by drums, a keyboard and a xylophone.
Some of the girls at my school are amazing at music. Without our teachers none of it would be possible. We want our building to reflect our music.
Have a look at the article by Florence’s mother, Leonie Cronin, about her perspective on the new Community Music Centre.
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