Music Masterclass In Enrichment Session

Former pupil Wes Finch provided an excellent music masterclass in our final Enrichment session of the term, ably supported by Sixth Former Jake Pearson and teachers Mr Julian Bunce (Classics and EPQ Co-ordinator) and Dr Toby Smith (Head of Religious Studies).

Opening the afternoon of acoustic music with a Jackson Browne cover, tracks from his recent live album 'A Pinch of Salt' and the critically-acclaimed 'Awena' album, which received a 7/10 review from Uncut magazine, Wes then handed the mike to Jake who played three tracks (by Lewis Watson, Jason Mraz and Ed Sheeran). Jake's confidence grew with each song and is to be commended for playing in front of his peers, never an easy exercise for any musician.

Ably assisted by Bablake's 'piano man' Mr Julian Bunce, Dr Toby Smith offered a Mindfulness class in song as he sang about young love, offering his 'loving arms', and then promising a lazy 'sunny afternoon' in tracks by Ed Sheeran and The Kinks. 

Wes, who had earlier won over the audience with an excellent version, on request, of Bob Dylan's 'Like a Rolling Stone', closed the afternoon with more tracks from his 'Awena' album, including the brilliant 'Riverbed', which has graced Radio 6 this year, and a soulful cover of Blondie's 'Heart of Glass'.

Without Mr Malcolm Wyatt's technical wizardry, the session would not have been possible, and we thank the audience for its support for all three acts. Who knows but those harbouring musical ambition may just have been inspired to live their dream!