The recently held GSAL Refugee Week Competition received a number of excellent student entries, all of which are shared below. The brief was to produce a piece of art/photography OR flash fiction/poem (max. word count 1,000) on the theme ‘healing’. The winning entries were: Dorothy (Year 7), Angus (Year 8 - art), Harry (Year 8 … Continue reading Refugee Week Competition 2022
Sarika - Year 8 Student Editor's note: I caught up with passionate Year 8 artist Sarika and asked them about some of their recent work. Sarika told me, ‘I go to art lessons outside school; I learnt a few skills there, but also learnt some myself at home and out of school. Art is something … Continue reading Student Art Gallery: Sarika
GSAL Year 9 Music Students Editor's Note: The Year 9 music students have been studying Jazz, and we have put together this remote recording of ‘Summertime’, a song originally written by George Gershwin and DuBose Heywood in 1934 for their 1935 opera ‘Porgy and Bess’. As you can see from the screen shot shown below, … Continue reading Summertime
The A61s - Year 11 Band Editor's Note: Here for your listening pleasure are The A61s, a talented Year 11 band at GSAL. Some of the band have been studying ‘Britpop’ in Mrs Sidwell's lessons, but any resemblance to the songs of Oasis is coincidental. Band members are: Oliver (Guitar and vocal); Jack (Piano); Tom … Continue reading Saviour of Rock ‘N’ Roll
GSAL Advanced String Group Editor's Note: Enjoy this remote recording of the GSAL Advanced String group performing part of William Boyce’s Symphony No.1, thought to date from between 1750-1765. Violins: Karen, Jago, Tom, Izzy, Natalia, Anushree, Lila, Jo; Violas: Karen, Jo; Cellos: Alex, Hannah, Sally. AWK https://youtu.be/DP1CeI3slmc
Vidya - GSAL Alumna (2019 Leaver) Editor's Note: Former GSAL student Vidya has just finished her Foundation Diploma in Art & Design course at Leeds Arts University; she has now secured a place at the world-renowned art and design college Central Saint Martin's in London. SJK https://youtu.be/YpfsKJDxReE As Vidya writes for the Leeds Arts University … Continue reading Sun Salutation
GSAL Year 7 'Rock Up' Band Editor's Note: The Year 7 ‘Rock Up’ band have produced this fantastic video performance of The Beatles' 1965 UK chart-topping song Day Tripper. I assume the choice of song was ironic, as they learnt and recorded their individual parts during lockdown. The track is shared here alongside the original. … Continue reading Day Tripper
Jack - Year 11 Musician Editor's Note: Mrs Sidwell, who taught Jack, says: 'Don't be fooled by the calm piano intro. It develops into something very different from the recordings we have sent out so far.' It's worth listening to on headphones for the effect, and because there's one or two angry moments that you may … Continue reading Good News
GSAL Senior String Group Editor's Note: Contrary to the general perception of this new form of ensemble playing, it is not technologically possible for musicians to perform live together online. Latency means that music cannot be played accurately in time with another musician. Instead, each part is recorded separately in the musician’s home, and then … Continue reading Clocks
GSAL Virtual Voices Editor's Note: During the period of lockdown, pupils, parents, staff and alumni came together to create this wonderful virtual performance of American soul and R&B singer Ben E. King's timeless song Stand by Me. The song was originally inspired by an early 20th century gospel hymn; there have since been over 400 … Continue reading Stand by Me
The GSAL Journal 