​Brentwood School’s lockdown legacy

Pupils and staff at Brentwood School are creating a lockdown legacy which could see this Steinway School boasting a pound of pianists, and it all starts with #teachMrBondthepiano.

Eight of the School’s young music scholars have put together a series of video tutorials, Zoom lessons and presentation slides with the aim of teaching Headmaster Michael Bond to reach new musical heights - with a performance of the 5th piano part in a special arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody.

On Saturday, aptly coinciding with National Piano Day, Mr Bond started his #BrentwoodOnline journey, and at the end of lesson one, played a faultless rendition of his ‘magnum opus’ - better known as Mary had a Little Lamb!

His tutelage will continue under the expert guidance of Brentwood School’s finest, Sammy, Sophia, Bessie, Claire, Oliver, Pippa, Jo and Alex, who has also written the special arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Sammy launched #teachMrBondthepiano with an inspiring introductory video to ’A Simple Guide to Playing the Piano” which demonstrated what could be achieved after one day; one week; one month, and eight years of practice!

“If you ever say you simply cannot manage something, say you cannot do it yet!” she encouraged.

And it’s not only Mr Bond who will be taking up a new musical challenge. Virtual Music Land (better known as the School’s Music Department) will shortly be rolling out the scheme to other staff members…. and it won’t just be piano lessons on offer.

As a champion of the Endangered Instrument Scheme, Brentwood could soon find itself with a dilemma - trying to find a stage big enough to accommodate the new Whole School Big Band!

* #BrentwoodOnline has seen the School’s Music Department as busy as ever. On Friday evening the department hosted its first online Chamber Concert streamed live via YouTube, and earlier in the week there was a live screening of the full performance of Brentwood School’s epic production of Les Misérables #newnormal.