Composed and recorded towards the end of lockdown 3 ‘A is for Ariana’ is a short piano piece, akin to a romantic miniature but with a more contemporary harmonic vocabulary, composed to celebrate the 7th birthday of my good friend's daughter. As with 'Ariana's Nocturne', 'Adventure', 'Imagination' and 'Ballet: Parts 1 and 2' and 'Summer Day' the music is based on a motif that 'exclaims' Ariana's name. As I’ve not seen either father or daughter in the real world since before lockdown number one  ‘A is for Ariana’ is a concept piece - a quick listen should reveal why! Recording with thanks to Chris Williams.

A is for Ariana

'Beth' is a piece for solo piano dedicated to and composed in celebration of Beth Kobel's time as Headteacher of Preston Manor School, Wembley from 2015 to 2021. Recorded and mastered by Chris Williams at Resident Studios in the summer of 2021.

Beth

This is my single movement 'Introduction and Energico for Strings'. Written for string orchestra this recording is performed by 9 players - as a result of the lockdowns I didn't have access to a symphonic string orchestra and certainly couldn't afford to pay one either! Recorded not long after 'freedom day' in studio one of Resident Studios on Tuesday 17th August 2021 by Chris Williams, performed by The Hammig String Quartet and friends. Conducted by the composer.

Introduction and Energico for Strings

This is Vagish, Yazan, Zain with Abdellah's track 'New Beginnings'. Unfortunately Abdellah couldn't make the session but he did contribute to the original work in the classroom so should have a credit. It was recorded in the faculty studio under the watchful eye (or should that be ear) of Mr Williams on Friday 14th January 2022

YAZAN, VAGISH, ZAIN with ABDELLAH: New Beginnings

Another entry in the Ariana Suite,  'Ariana in Eight' is a short piano piece akin to a romantic miniature but with a more contemporary harmonic vocabulary.  Composed to celebrate the 8th birthday of my good friend's daughter, 'Ariana in Eight' uses the same motif as the other works in the suite which 'exclaims' Ariana's name. This year Ariana is eight years old so the time signatures and rhythmic impetus often follows patterns of eight quavers, with several sections using a 3, 3, 2 emphasis or variations thereof. Recording by Chris Williams in studio one of Resident Studios, London.

Ariana in Eight

This is the Diwali Fusion Collective - a student and staff ensemble created for Preston Manor's whole school Diwali celebration 2022. Performed and recorded live (hence the background noise)outside Preston Manor's Lower School on Wednesday 9th November 2022. Music composed in a series of six after school workshops by the performers.

The Diwali Fusion Collective: LIVE - 09/11/22

Continue your preparation for the component 3 appraising or listening paper here with advice on how to tackle the final section B twelve mark essay question. This podcast includes a response to the 2020 'phantom' question which could conceivably achieve full marks or very close to full marks.

Mr Crawley Revises... Component 3: Appraising - Part 4 (EDEXCEL 9-1 GCSE Music)

Presenting the 'super mix' music created by eight Year 6 pupils during a four-week introduction to music technology project held over Friday lunchtimes in early 2024. Music by Sebastian, Mahi, Cory, Kayden, Dontae, Yunus, Rico and Amir. With thanks to Chris Williams.

PMLS Year 6: Super Mix - April 2024

This is the example stimulus track for the Year 6 and 7 lessons based on Sir Paul McCartney's Meat Free Monday campaign. The Kitchen Samba takes the basic patterns found in Samba music and develops them using implements found in a typical kitchen instead of 'real' instruments. Sounds used include sieves, whisks, baking trays, a dustbin, cutlery made of both metal and wood as well as an old food blender. Composed and performed by Keir C. Crawley, recording with thanks to Chris Williams. Funded by Keir Crawley Music.

Meat Free Monday: The Kitchen Samba

This is the music of Preston Manor School and it's Saturday Music Academy. You can listen to music composed, performed and/or realised by students from Year 9, GCSE, A Level and Music Production sessions at the Music Academy. This page aims to be both a teaching and learning resource (WAGOLL: What A Good One Looks Like) for staff and a way for students to celebrate and share their creative talents with the wider world. 

This is also the place in which to find 'Mr Crawley Revises...' a series of bespoke revision podcasts for the new 9-1 EDEXCEL GCSE Music Specification.

Meat Free Monday: The Kitchen Samba

Preston Manor Music

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