Greek Inspired Assembly & Workshop

Mrs Jones was delighted to announce to the pupils that they were in for a special treat as we welcomed visitors for a wonderful Greek music assembly. The excitement around the hall quickly grew as Mrs Jones introduced Sooty and her brother, Mike, an internationally renowned bouzouki player, who had joined us to share the beauty and joy of traditional Greek music.

Mike began the performance with a captivating Greek rendition of Never on a Sunday, immediately creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere. The audience listened intently, gently swaying along to the melody as they became immersed in the rich sounds and rhythms of Greek culture. It was a truly enchanting way to begin the concert.

As the performance continued, Mike showcased a variety of lively musical pieces with energetic rhythms that encouraged everyone to join in. Pupils enthusiastically clapped along in time with the music, filling the hall with smiles and applause. His exceptional musicianship and passion for Greek music shone through in every performance, captivating pupils and staff alike.

We were also delighted to hear Sooty and Mike perform a beautiful Greek song together. Their voices and musicianship complemented one another perfectly, creating a memorable performance that was enjoyed by everyone in the audience. Sooty proudly shared that Mike would be performing for three nights at the Theatre Technis in Camden during the coming week, a testament to his outstanding talent and dedication to his craft.

The assembly concluded with a rousing performance of Zorba the Greek, which was met with enthusiastic, rhythmic clapping from the audience. Before long, pupils and members of staff were on their feet, enjoying the opportunity to dance together and celebrate the infectious energy of the music. The hall was filled with laughter, joy, and a wonderful sense of community, making it a truly magical and unforgettable experience.

At the end of the assembly, Mr Wilson warmly thanked Mike for his outstanding performance, saying, "As a musician myself, your wonderful playing was truly inspirational." He went on to remind the pupils that music and song have a unique ability to bring people together, creating happiness, strengthening friendships, and allowing people from different cultures to connect through a shared love of music.

It was a truly uplifting assembly and a wonderful way to begin the day. We are extremely grateful to Sooty and Mike for sharing their incredible talents with us and providing an experience that will be remembered by pupils and staff for a long time to come. 

After playing a few pieces in a brilliant assembly for the Junior School, Mike and Sooty held a workshop for our GCSE Music pupils. Greek music is part of the GCSE Music syllabus and it was an invaluable opportunity for the pupils to learn about the music and instruments first hand.  Mike is a world renowned bouzouki player who is currently on tour in England, he taught the students a basic chord and gave them detailed insights into playing techniques, song structure and harmonies used in Greek music. Both Mike and Sooty spoke to the pupils about what makes Greek music unique and the joy they have in performing.  It was an amazing opportunity for our music students, something they will remember forever.