Barry Comprehensive School

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Barry Comprehensive School have certainly given their pupils a taste of the professional musician recently!!

On Friday 6 th October Richard Meyrick (The PianoMan) international concern pianist, invited a selection of young pianists to a Masterclass. Thriving on challenges, Richard listened to their recitals and then proceeded to give them advice and constructive criticism, in order to improve their technique. Lewis Green and Scott Hillen are very competent pianists and thought they played their pieces well, until Richard took over and step by step, explained how their playing could change, just by a change of attitude or mood. Suddenly they played with vigour and artistry and were overwhelmed by how much they had learnt from the Masterclass, in such a short time.

Pupils from Cowbridge and Ysgol Bro Morganwg were invited to attend the afternoon and left with the same enthusiasm and drive to play the piano. It certainly was an innovative afternoon, offering a unique opportunity for young people to experience, at first hand, the technical wizardry, the stamina, interpretation and performance of some of the worlds great musical heritage.

In the evening, the school hosted a “one night only”, recital programme by Richard Meyrick himself. Parents, pupils, friends and the local community enjoyed a memorable evening. The audience commented with many positive remarks –

“How wonderful to come along to Barry Comprehensive and listen to an outstanding pianist”

“I have supported every event at Barry Comprehensive and this is the first time I have seen a famous concern pianist ….. I’m now a fan!”

“Richard Meyrick was absolutely outstanding”

“What a delightful way to spend an evening! Thank you Barry Comprehensive School”

To complete our focus on introducing classical music to young people on Tuesday 10 th October the Welsh National Opera, sponsored by the Foyle Foundation, brought a thrilling new opera named “Sweetness and Badness” to school. Written in 2006 and performed by five singers and six instrumentalists, the opera told a story about today, two people falling in love, when all around them is a lot of hate and bad things going on. This opera embraced big themes in life and for the audience of Year 10 and 11 pupils it was the first time they had experienced a live opera in their school hall. Sat amongst the pupils, staff were impressed by their response towards the performance. They engaged with the singers and musicians throughout the duration of the opera and communicated their thoughts and opinions in the workshop afterwards, with enthusiasm. This was a one off opportunity for Barry Comprehensive School where pupils were in awe of the immense work that is involved in staging an opera.

The set was amazing and certainly added to the enjoyment of this event. Many pupils stayed behind at the end to help and this again is an indication of how involved they were with the performance.

After two major events, where so many young people have had their minds opened to the enjoyment of classical music, it’s not surprising the Creative Arts Faculty are proud of what their pupil’s have achieved recently. Suddenly it is not all rock and pop……is that Mozart I hear on your iPod?? and who is that playing Chopin’s Waltz in C Minor, in the music block? Who says boys don’t appreciate the finer things in life – have you visited Barry Comprehensive School recently??

1. PianoMan Richard Meyrick with some of the lucky master class students
2. Sweetness and Badness - Alun Rhys Jenkins (CJ) - (c)KirstenMcTernan
3. Sweetness and Badness - Robert Winslade Anderson (Bobby) - (c)KirstenMcTernan