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Music in the Community
Carol singing in the local community
In early December 2019, the entertainment manager at a local retirement community contacted our Expressive Arts Faculty and asked if we would be prepared to bring some Deer Park pupils to entertain the residents with some Christmas songs and carols.
As a result, on Wednesday 18 December 2019 Mr Cook and Miss Faux took 12 Year 8 and Year 9 pupils to Aura Care Living, in Stratton, Cirencester to perform a set of Christmas music. The music chosen was a mix of beautiful traditional carols such as 'Away in a Manger', 'I Saw Three Ships' and 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' to name a few. We also picked some upbeat Christmas songs including 'Jingle Bells', 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' and 'Winter Wonderland'. We finished our set with 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'.
Josh (Year 8) said "It was fun, the people were very nice and very supporting of our songs."
Tim (Year 8) said "It was a great opportunity to spread the joy of Christmas. I talked with the residents and performing our songs was really enjoyable."
The residents were really appreciative of our visit and really loved seeing the enthusiasm of the young people as they sang. There was an opportunity for us to talk to some of the residents in a break between our songs. The pupils were excellent ambassadors for the school and they all chatted happily to the residents. When Mr Cook spoke to one of the residents they were very keen to tell him how lovely our pupils were and how wonderful it was of them to take the time to come and perform for them.
"We wish to thank Deer Park School for their excellent performance yesterday, and how very helpful and polite the students were to the residents, they thoroughly enjoyed singing along to the carols. And hope that you will consider coming back to Stratton Court very soon." Denise Barton, Activities Manager at Aura Care Living
Whether teenager or retiree, whether 'Baby Boomer' or 'Generation X', music is a great leveller and can be an amazing way to bring people together, no matter their age. At Deer Park, our Expressive Arts Faculty encourage our pupils to share their love of music, whether inside or outside of school. For example, a variety of performers took part in our annual Carol Service in the Parish Church, our production of the musical Grease will be on stage at Deer Park in February 2020 and we will once again be providing musical entertainment at the annual Cirencester Youth Market which take place in March 2020 in the Market Place.
Mr Cook, Music Teacher