Music

Air Balloon Hill has a thriving and busy music department. Children learn to sing and play in music lessons throughout the year and all children in year 3 have the opportunity to learn the violin for two terms.

The following after-school clubs run on a weekly basis:

Monday: Key stage 1 (training) choir. This choir is for children in years 1 & 2, there is no audition. Lots of games and singing for fun, new songs, old songs and very silly songs.

Tuesday: Key stage 2 (performing) choir. This choir is open for children in years 3 to 6, there is no audition. We sing a wide range of songs, and perform in school and city-wide events throughout the year. We also sing at two local care homes.

Thursday: Music club. This is for a small group of pupils by invitation only.

Friday: School band. This club is open to anyone who plays an instrument. We perform in school concerts and take part in other events such as orchestral workshops at Bristol University.

The following clubs run at lunchtime:

Monday lunchtime: Recorder improvers. For those who have already been playing for a year.

Tuesday lunchtime: Recorder beginners. Open to anyone who wants to learn to play an instrument.

In addition, the school has received funding for some junior steel pans, so look out for a new steel pan group forming in September!

The following special music events happen on a yearly basis:

Christmas: Carols Around the Christmas Tree: join us for mulled wine, mince pies and sing some of your favourite carols and Christmas songs. Key Stage 2 choir perform in the Bristol Schools Christmas Concert at St George’s, Bristol.

May Day: Singing and dancing as part of a whole-school celebration.

Orchestral workshop: the band members join other children from primary schools across Bristol to play in a massed orchestra with help from the university PGCE music students.

Bristol Schools Big Sing: the Key Stage 2 choir join children from across Bristol to sing in a massed choir. Usually at Colston Hall, but due to the refurbishment is being held at UWE this year.

Summer Festival: Choirs from East Bristol (Columbus) schools come together to sing at St Ambrose Church, Whitehall.

Instrumental Concert: A school concert for children who play to show what they have been working on throughout the year. The band, recorder groups and KS1 Choir will also perform in this one!