Brentwood School - Brentwoodian 2020

33 Virtual Music Land Brentwood School’s ‘Virtual Music Land’ is famed not only around the country, leading the way for many schools, but has been viewed worldwide. One of the first schools to create a myriad of virtual ensembles, bands and choirs, VML brought the joy of music to homes in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. It was definitely a strange experience, to be so far apart and yet so close to other musicians, and to emerge having produced countless recordings without so much as leaving our houses. Weekly Chamber Concerts to huge Symphony Orchestra and Big Band performances have been streamed on the School’s YouTube channel. This allowed groups to perform without being face-to-face and for annual productions to take place in a slightly different way, seeing student-led ensembles emerge, Nia Richards and Theo Harris’ Songs from the Shows and the German Department’s Lieder Concert happen again. The winter production, Les Misérables , was brought home - and with old memories came new ones, as the cast sang One Day More with some innovative changes to reflect the lockdown period. Whilst little compares to the phenomenon of making music and hearing it in person, ‘Virtual Music Land’ has come pretty close. By overcoming new challenges in a new normal, the Performing Arts Department eased the isolation for many. I can safely say I will never forget recording Old Red Wall as one of 11 pianos, or Bohemian Rhapsody with my three closest piano friends (and, of course, the Headmaster, his dog and the voice of above commentating). The final student-arranged project was a fitting end to it all - thank you for the music! By Sammi Li My Musical Journey Over the last year I have had many amazing opportunities presented to me, especially over lockdown. I have been able to have lessons and masterclasses with some of the best guitarists alive today from all over the world. I have been very lucky to have been accepted into the National Youth Guitar Ensemble this year, which has given a guitar masterclass every month over lockdown and has enabled me to play for some pretty amazing guitarists such as Mark Ashford and Helen Sanderson who both teach in top conservatoires. Also, organised through Junior Trinity Laban, I was given the opportunity to play a piece for award-winning Australian guitarist, Craig Ogden, which was hugely beneficial. I have also been able to have several lessons with guitarists which I would never have been able to access if it wasn't for Zoom, most notably, Dr Jonathan Leathwood from Denver Colorado, and Gary Ryan from the Royal College of Music in London. Due to Covid 19 there have been many international virtual music competitions, in one of which I won the Gold prize in my age group and instrumental category. By Thomas Hodgkinson