This month we had the pleasure of welcoming Jordan Bak back to London and into our flagship primary schools to work with our Pathways students for his fourth and final visit as Robey Artist with YCAT.

We threw Jordan straight into the action by inviting him to join our two Pathways ensembles in their performances of James MacMillan’s ‘Rout’ and Abel Selaocoe’s ‘Ditoro Kaofela’, both new pieces commissioned as part of our Many Voices project, premiered on Wigmore Hall stage on Friday 17th March. Performing alongside a seasoned professional artist like Jordan not only added to the excitement and sense of occasion our young musicians felt, but was also the perfect remedy to any pre-performance nerves they may have had!

The Pathways students then had a jam-packed week squeezing as much time in with Jodan as possible, starting off with a trip to Wigmore Hall to watch him perform in a lunchtime recital, accompanied by pianist Iyad Sughayer, performing works by Manuel de Falla and Isang Yun in a varied, exciting programme of music.

The rest of the week was spent rehearsing with Jordan and our very own Graduate Ambassador, Emily Harrison. This term, the Pathways students have been working on chamber ensemble pieces in four smaller chamber groups, practicing their individual parts in their lessons with teachers. Emily and Jordan enjoyed touring around three of our schools and helping the four groups polish their pieces to make sure they felt confident and performance ready.

On Friday 24th March, all four of the Pathways chamber ensembles came together for a final rehearsal at Prior Weston Primary School, followed by a performance to an audience filled with family and friends. Samaa, Nina, Faveur and Emelia began with a performance of Helen Butterworth’s ‘New Boogie’, followed by Asha, Latika, Jack, Zara and Brandon’s group performing ‘Patrick’s Reel’. We were then treated to a violin and viola duet (Sibelius’ Duo in C Major), performed by Emily Harrison and Jordan Bak, showing our younger students the kind of opportunities they too could enjoy as they continue to grow as musicians, with continued dedication and hard work. Adriana, Cheick, Jordan (not Bak, this time!) and Stella followed with Helen Butterworth’s ‘Thrumpton Threadwell Morris Dance’, and Esra, Zine, Daphne and Safia finished the concert with a performance of Teleman’s Concert for four violins.

We rounded off the evening with a big show of appreciation: to our incredible young musicians who work so hard and perform so maturely, and particularly to our valued Graduate Ambassador and older musician, Emily, who supported the groups fantastically; to our parents, carers, family and friends, who help our students to make the most of every opportunity they are offered; and finally to the wonderful Jordan Bak, for the time and energy he’s given to the whole Music Masters family every time he’s come to see us. We hope to see you soon Jordan, and we know this won’t be goodbye forever!