Month: March 2020

27th March 20

26th March 20

Good Friday 1727 in Leipzig was a particularly good Friday. When Bach had first arrived, four years earlier, he had no doubt wowed his employers – not to mention the congregation – with that year’s Easter offering, the St. John Passion. Bach was ushered to Leipzig on the promise of a very large salary indeed,…

20th March 20

Either Can you explain how you instruct each of your fingers and finger muscles to type? (Just watch and let the weirdness hit you!) (If you are a parent reading this, you might enjoy this ‘In our Time’ on Free Will and Determinism) Or Why are astronauts so brave? Can you be born courageous and…

20th March 20

This piece is the stuff of legends. Mozart himself, allegedly, once heard Allegri’s Miserere being performed in the Sistine Chapel. The precocious young composer apparently rushed home and wrote down the entire work from memory. The work itself is a sublime nine-voice setting of Psalm 51: Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam (‘Have mercy…

13th March 20

Paul’s Puzzles this week are in response to Science Week. Many thanks to Professor Jason Riley from Imperial for a brilliant series of assemblies and enrichment class. He provided Jason’s Puzzle. Is God a Scientist or an Engineer? Or Do any animals, apart from us, appreciate the beauty of the universe? Or Should you stop…

13th March 20

The Wizard of Oz Musical Selection: From the 1939 musical film, The Wizard of Oz songs are among the most famous and recognisable American tunes of all time. ‘Over the Rainbow’ is perhaps the most famous song ever written for film. The music and lyrics were written by Harold Arlen and E.Y ‘Yip’ Harburg who…

6th March 20

We were delighted to welcome the author and illustrator Simon Murray to the Junior House today. As well as leading an assembly, where he introduced the boys to his character, Icky Doo Dah, he led workshops in all of the year groups, teaching the boys how to add detail, texture and contrast to their character…

6th March 20

Paul’s Puzzles this week are: Either Profound contemplation after traditional English breakfast. Can you really explain how Fairy Liquid (or its equivalent) works? (Washing up before such products existed, must have taken forever, especially after duck roast or a breakfast like the one my family has just had. &… Doesn’t egg yolk show amazing tenacity…

6th March 20

NSPCC visit Year 1 – Year 6 The NSPCC visited our school today and delivered their Speak out. Stay safe. assembly to share information with your son about how they can keep themselves safe from harm and get help if they have any worries. It was a very worthwhile and empowering session for both pupils…

6th March 20

James Hook (1746-1827) was an English composer and organist. He displayed a remarkable musical talent at an early age, playing the harpsichord by the age of four and performing concertos in public at the age of six. Hook was appointed organist and composer to Marylebone Gardens in 1768. In addition to his performances as an…