Our Autumn Concert prompts the Head to reflect on what makes Harrodian music special and to welcome our new Director of Music, Kay Le Doujet, whose background mixes Surrey and Seoul in equal measures.
(Many thanks to Daisy Mackay for the photography)
I always look forward to the Harrodian Autumn Concert in November. As well as great tunes and high entertainment value, the event also serves as a handy gauge of the school’s current musical health. And if, like me, you were lucky enough to catch last week’s Autumn Concert in our packed school Theatre you will grasp that, as we hit its pre-Christmas peak season, Harrodian music is thriving on all fronts.
No fewer than seven choirs took part in the event together with the School Orchestra, our Jazz Band and a long list of groups and individual young players and singers of all kinds. And, as is almost always the case with Harrodian, the evening took the form of an exciting musical adventure. Alongside classical pieces by Bizet and Mozart there was room for reggae (Johnny Nash’s ‘I Can See Clearly Now’), jazz and soul (a solo rendition of Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’ and the Jazz Band’s version of Errol Garner’s ‘Misty’) and rock (a choral take on Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’).
See more pictures of the Autumn Concert musicians
I loved it and it was clear both from the ovation on the night and the feedback that followed, that many parents shared my enthusiasm: ‘I have been to many concerts over the years and this one really stood out,’ read one email. ‘The sound was the best ever and there was a lovely selection of modern and old…’ .
It all added up to a triumphant debut for Kay Le Doujet, our new Director of Music who joined us in September. Kay’s distinctive background mixes Surrey with Seoul in almost equal measures. Born in Korea, she emigrated to England with her family and grew up in Sheen attending the prestigious Purcell School for Young Musicians. At 18 she returned to Korea to undertake a Music BA, majoring in piano at Seoul National University, following up with a Masters in Musicology at Kings College, London which focused on Beethoven, Mozart and Messiaen. She then became a teacher, joining Harrodian from the role of Head of Music at Holy Cross Girls School in Surrey.
As is almost always the case with Harrodian, the evening took the form of an exciting musical adventure.
James Hooke, Head of Harrodian
High-powered though she is , our new our new Director of Music is charming, approachable and a big supporter of the way that Harrodian has championed musical diversity and nurtured skills wherever they lie
James Hooke
If this impressive but classically-oriented CV conjures up a vision of a rather academically-led brand of music teacher, think again. High-powered though she clearly is, our new Director of Music is charming, approachable and a big supporter of the way that Harrodian ‘has championed musical diversity and nurtured skills wherever they lie’. She is thoroughly modest about her high-achieving career path: ‘I wasn’t a talented musician as a child but I did have a lot of determination to do it,’ she admits with disarming honesty. ‘What I’ve achieved has been about hard work and grit and that has helped me since I started teaching. My own personal experience has helped me connect with pupils who don’t naturally find music easy.’
What I’ve achieved has been about hard work and grit and that has helped me since I started teaching. My own personal experience has helped me connect with pupils who don’t naturally find music easy
Kay Le Doujet, Harrodian Director of Music
Her impulse to share the magic of music with the widest possible audience is reflected in Ms Le Doujet’s practical proposal to build a 'more robust Prep curriculum’ that will map out a clear path of pupil learning progression all the way from Pre-Prep to the 13s (Year 9). ‘We want to deepen and broaden pupils’ skills so that by the time they reach their GCSEs, they will have acquired skills that allow them to sing, appraise, improvise, compose and perform music and are equipped to make choices that allow them to progress from there.’
We want to deepen and broaden pupils’ skills so that by the time they reach their GCSEs, they will have acquired skills that allow them to sing, appraise, improvise, compose and perform music and are equipped to make choices
Kay Le Doujet, Harrodian Director of Music
While her future plans are taking shape, I have no doubt that Ms Le Doujet will be continuing to cherish another essential, existing ingredient in the Harrodian music mix. Unlike many schools, the majority of Harrodian’s many music groups select by ability rather than age, creating ensembles which can sometimes span the school in ages all the way from 8-18. You only have to spend a short time in rehearsal with our Orchestra or Jazz Band to sense the special chemistry that binds these teams together despite the age ranges: a shared set of skills and passions, a shared sense of camaraderie and commitment and a mutual sense of fun and purpose.
A special chemistry binds Harrodian musical groups together despite the age ranges: a shared set of skills and passions, a shared sense of camaraderie and commitment, and a mutual sense of fun and purpose.
James Hooke
The latest example of music’s special power to break down barriers and bring people together came last week when a choir of mixed age Harrodian Prep pupils led by Ms Baum visited FiSH neighbourhood centre in Barnes (Read and see more here) to perform songs by the likes of Benjamin Britten and John Legend to a group of older borough residents. Soon everyone was singing and by the end, audience and choir were mixing, mingling, chatting and sharing pots of tea and plates of biscuits like a group of familiar old friends.
