On Tuesday 19 August, our Grade 1-3 Orff ensemble groups participated in the Tygerberg International Eisteddfod. The adjudication was held at school, where the adjudicator, Thea Lamprecht was welcomed. We are ecstatic to have achieved Honours (80-89%) for all four items performed. The adjudicator’s feedback was very encouraging. “We are so incredibly proud of your hard work, beautiful music, and the joy you brought to the stage. Well done!” – Ms Levitt (Head of Primary School Music).
The adjudicator applauded our two Music teachers, and acknowledged that she could see they were working hard on pupils’ technique. She thanked the staff, Principal, and parents for the support given to the pupils. Lamprecht commented, “I saw it in all four of the items – excellent staging; the way you walked up the stage, and the way you walked down, and the way you looked at the teacher, and you followed her instructions, and your behaviour on stage… well, it was fantastic. And for all the items. These learners are only Grade 1 to 3 and did very well today for their age. Many skills, too many to mention now, were demonstrated in playing these instruments. Very well done to the teachers and to all of you who mastered all of them.”
The adjudicator commented that she always emphasised (over her nine years’ adjudicating this category) that it’s not all about the mark. She said the journey was more important, “especially in this category of music-making. It’s about the process, the skills that we learn, the things that these children learned while they studied for this performance, and all of that is priceless. And then also how they’re contributing to the group of them with everything else. There’s no marks for that. It’s a great feeling to see you playing so well, and you can be so proud of yourself. Go on and make much more music for the rest of your life. Thank you.”
Blue is the Sea – Grade 1 and 3
They concentrated so hard and played lovely. The “speech” / poem / message as an introduction set the mood and was a lovely part of the presentation. Playing technique was mostly well executed. In such young players, it sometimes take a while to develop the correct bouncing wrist action. It’s sometimes the case that it takes a while for everyone in the group to master that 100% bouncing brisk action – so, we could see some of them do it perfectly and some were still developing. And I understand that, because I can see you teach that. But, on the same day, everyone isn’t fully developed at that stage. So, it was impressive and I can see you do very good work. A small recommendation is, if an item is this short, perhaps experiment with adding more speech and repeating the musical piece to be similar to the length of the prescribed work and for more listening enjoyment. Well done.
Honours: 84%
Ding, dong, diggi diggi dong – Grade 2
It is lovely to see your choice of an orginal Orff Schulwerk Opiece for ‘own choice’ category. The singing was beautiful as an intro yet small recommendation, according to the score, the singng should actually be part of the playing and singing altogether. With such a small group, it can be challenging for learners to multitask singing PLUS playing. Solution can be to separate singing group, perhaps from the choir to assist. Good overall playing technique. Well done.
Honours: 84%
Soldier’s March – Grade 2
Like with the two previous items, the visuals on the screen were effective in setting the mood and complementing the performance. Once again perhaps think how to lengthen such a short piece for prolenged playing and enjoyment. Especially as these items are all in the ‘Own choice’ category. Players mastered the intricate rhythmic patterns well. Well done. Accurate playing.
done. Would just like to see more expressive faces!
Honours: 85%
Penguin Waddle – Grade 3
Now this item, as ‘prescribed’ piece, should be an example of the length of an item. And look! Here they ‘multitasked’ by singing AND playing at the same time. You can do it!! Once again, perhaps show your enjoyment more expressively – faces and body!
Honours: 86%
Click here to read more about Culture at Cannons. Click here to view snippets of the pieces.
