ONLY 15 months after taking up piano lessons, four pupils from Teesdale School are celebrating musical success, having achieved their grade one certificates.
Syke Dickson, Rory Hart, Morgan Brand and Haydn Steadman only took up piano lessons in September 2018 as part of expanding musical provision at the school. The year eight and nine pupils were presented with their grade one piano certificates last week before the end of term.
Sally McGrath, music teacher at Teesdale School, said: “We’re really proud. The piano lessons are a new initiative that we introduced and they have been really paying off.”
She added the lessons are provided by peripatetic teacher Andrea Ballentine, who provides each student with a weekly half hour session.
More than 22 students have now signed up to learn how to tickle the ivories and Ms McGrath is busy organising a fundraising concert with the students called Piano for Polio, which will take place in January.
She said: “We’ve still got a few things to organise but it is part of the Rotary International’s campaign to end polio now. All the students will be taking part and it’s not only a great opportunity to hear how good their skills are but to raise some cash for such a great cause.”
