MUSIC DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Battle of the Bands Champions 2025!

We’re thrilled to announce that The Harmonarchs, our first-ever Level 2 BTEC Music band, took home first place at the 2025 Battle of the Bands held at Peponi School on Wednesday, 18th June!

As part of their BTEC Music performing unit, the students have been working on ensemble performance - developing skills in stage presence, musicality, technical control, and confidence. Their hard work clearly paid off!

Meet the Band:
Left to Right

Yiyan Zhou, Bernadette Wanjiku, Tyrell Clayton, Natalie Law, Amanda Ashwin,

Terrell Adjagba, Fiona Liu and Hayley-Nadine Meho.

For some, this was their first time performing at another school or in a competitive setting. Not only did they rise to the occasion, but they also reflected thoughtfully on what went well and where they can grow - an important part of their coursework.

The band is already looking ahead to their next big performance at Prize Giving on 3rd July. We can’t wait to see what they do next!

WORLD MUSIC DAY 2025 CELEBRATION

World Music Day, also known as International Music Day, is celebrated on 21st June each year. It is a global event that honours the power of music as a universal language and celebrates musicians, performers, and composers from all backgrounds and genres.

At school, we marked the occasion on Friday 20th June with the launch of a special lunchtime event we called Sound Bites Session. Students performed live for an enthusiastic audience of peers and staff, showcasing a range of musical talents including piano, guitar, singing and dance. The atmosphere was full of energy, support and joy.

Our performers included:
Mthokosizi Sibande, Olga Fedele, Sophia Ng’ang’a, Ethan Wahome and

Natalie Ngunjiri on piano
Ipsa Bedi on guitar;
Hany Akot, Sirletta Sirleaf and Nehla Bazie on vocals (with Hany also hosting the event);
and a dynamic Year 10 dance group called “15” featuring Zeenia, Leila, Nehla, Tara and Sirletta.

The performances highlighted the creativity and confidence of our students, and we encourage them to continue exploring music as both an enjoyable activity and a way to support mental wellbeing.

Research shows that playing and listening to music can boost brain function and improve mood. For more on this, check out this TED Talk on the benefits of music for the brain here.

Ways to celebrate music beyond this event include:

• Sharing favourite songs/ playlists with friends and family
• Enjoying some light hearted karaoke sessions with your friends and family
• Dusting up those scales and notes and playing music together.
• Making some music - your voice and your body are fantastic instruments that you can use to do this.

We look forward to more music events throughout the year, including lunchtime and tea-time concerts and jam sessions. Watch this space.

NAIROBI ORCHESTRA CONCERTS - 21st and 22nd June 2025

This weekend, the Nairobi Orchestra will take to the stage at the Visa Oshwal Auditorium for their June concerts, and I just wanted to mention that one of our students, Dhara Shah in Year 10 will be performing as part of the orchestra, as one of the youngest members so far. Congratulations to Dhara on joining Kenya’s oldest and seniormost orchestra! A fine example of a confident individual and a learner enjoying success, espousing our school values and showcasing them beyond Braeburn! She says that it takes a lot of dedication and practice to be able to play the music given to them, and she is really looking forward to showcasing her musicianship by playing with the orchestra.

Please let’s come out and support her and the rest of the orchestra as they perform this weekend. Please see the attached poster for more information. (What an appropriate way to celebrate World Music Day - going to a concert featuring our very own!)

Finally I wish to appreciate the students, staff and especially the support of the Senior Leadership Team for their incredible support in ensuring that music is supported and by extension, the Creative Arts.

Viva la Musica!

Ms. Grace Nangabo

Head of Music and Music teacher