MUSIC 28 Friday November 18th saw the first ever staging of the PTA Autumn Arts Festival. The evening was a huge success with a packed audience in Big School who really got into the swing of it all. After the PTA welcomed everyone a video message was played from Adil Ray who sadly could not attend on the night himself. Adil launched the evening and officially opened the event with some customary humour as well as serious points about the importance of the House Competition and enjoying taking a full role in all the opportunities available at HGS. Apache Indian, having performed, then introduced the House Competition and talked about his AIM Academy. The evening then progressed with performances by Alfred, Galahad, Henry, Nelson and William Houses. There were also performances from the Drama Club and LAMDA students as well as Nachda Sansar and the Bhangra Dancing team. Refreshments were on sale all evening and there was a fantastic raffle. Godfrey Leung from House Alfred was judged to be the winner of the House Competition and was awarded a special prize along with some extra house points to sit alongside the house points all the students were awarded for taking part. Apache Indian and the AIM Academy then brought the evening to a close in fitting style. A huge thank you to everyone who made the event possible and for making it such a fantastic celebration of the arts at HGS. Autumn Arts Festival HGS YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2017 Eight of our finest musicians competed on Thursday 4 May for the accolade HGS Young Musician of the Year 2017. The audience was treated to high quality performances from Khanh Pham (Piano), Godfrey Leung (Violin), Isaac Minto (Clarinet), Seth Griffiths (Classical Guitar), Balkaar Bhopal (Piano), Karl Frater (Clarinet), Brandon Masih (Classical Guitar) and Robert Frater (Classical Guitar). As with all competitions there can only be one overall winner and this year Brandon Masih was named Young Musician of the Year 2017 and Godfrey Leung was named as Most Promising Musician. Mr Ward Friday November 18th saw the first ever staging of HGS Awarded National Music Mark Handsworth Grammar School has been awarded the Music Mark which is a national subject association for Music education. HGS has been recognised in the following areas: • Evidence of a willingness to engage in a development conversation related to improving Music provision. • Recognition of the value of Music education as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. • A strategy for Music in place, which provides for all children. Music Mark will now aim to support HGS to: • Advocate for the role of Music in and beyond the curriculum. • Support HGS in the delivery of high- quality Music teaching. • Connect HGS with the wider Music education sector. • Provide access to resources and research.