Budding performers tune up for musical café

Thursday 07 November 2019

Budding musicians at Jersey College for Girls will be tuning their skills by performing at a weekly lunchtime café, under a new scheme to fill the school with music.

Thought up by the College’s head of music John Bowley, it’s hoped that putting music students in front of a small audience each week during a free lunchtime concert will allow them to grow in confidence as performers.

The ‘Music Café’ will launch tomorrow (Friday 7 November) where islanders are being invited to listed to the eclectic musical stylings of JCG singers and instrumentalists. 

Speaking to Express about the initiative, Mr Bowley said he was motivated to give his students the “opportunity for regular performance within the College… in a way that can include the wider community.” 

Pictured: The new café scheme hopes to fill the school with music.

By putting on free lunchtime concerts on a Friday afternoon, Mr Bowley hopes that islanders from different walks of life will make the journey to the school to “enjoy the music of our students.”

When asked about the importance of performance in any budding musician’s practice, Mr Bowley remarked: “Performing is a skill in itself. Through performing musicians learn a great deal. Performing is not only the business of getting the notes right, but about projecting the intent of the music. 

“[It] greatly helps develop all young musicians, helping with confidence and communication skills. Being able to perform a piece well in public is a real achievement. Performing in a supportive environment, which Music Café will be, will be a fantastic way to build this experience.”

This week, attendees will be treated to a “semi-formal occasion” with a varied array of musical styles as well as edible treats. 

Pictured: Musicians are preparing for this week's café performance (JCG).

“Our visitors will be offered a mixed diet of music, encompassing a broad range of styles of music. There will be singing and instrumental playing, baroque, romantic, classical, and I think some pop music too – a really mixed bag. Plus of course, sandwiches and cake!" 

Commenting on his ambitions for the musical café, Mr Bowley said: “I anticipate that each Music Café will be different in character. My hope is that the Music Café will become a regular feature in our calendar, and that increasingly, performing will become a normal part of a musician’s journey. 

“I hope their popularity will grow; there is one this Friday. Next term we will have a few more. We will see how it develops. I will be very pleased to hear what our visitors think, and look forward to welcoming them on Friday, 1.15pm, at JCG!”