Bedales Rock Show raises over £6k for the John Badley Foundation

By Neil Hornsby, Head of Contemporary Music

Twelve months ago, after the congratulations had died down following a hugely successful Bedales Rock Show 2018, the most common phrases I heard included “What are you going to do next year, with so many amazing 6.2s leaving?” and “The Rock Show will never be the same again”!

True, 20 of last year’s 30 songs were sung by 6.2s, and after hearing these comments so frequently, I started to feel a little worried myself. However, I was aware that a backbone of very promising talent remained at Bedales, so we set out on the herculean journey towards the Rock Show 2019.

I challenged Block 4 students to play like sixth formers, sixth formers to perform like professionals and we all worked harder than ever before to see if we could come close to matching our 2018 effort. After a relaxing half term break, I still can’t believe how spectacularly our amazing group of students pulled off such a successful show.

Everyone performed brilliantly and it was fantastic to see so many young musicians rising to the challenge. Over the three nights, the Rock Show also raised £6,192 for the John Badley Foundation, which offers financial support through bursaries, giving young people a chance to benefit from the transformational opportunity a Bedales education can provide.

Interestingly, no one this time has asked me “What at are you going to do next year?” As it looks like we’re now set for several years to come!

See more photos from the Rock Show 2019 here.

Bedales Events season draws to a close

By Camilla Bashaarat, Parent Engagement Lead

The current season of Bedales Events has come to an end with two exciting events among the last on the calendar.

The Drama Studio was the perfect venue for the production Brilliance by the talented Farnham Maltings Theatre Company last Wednesday,  28 November. The intimate setting, on what was a dark and stormy evening, helped transport the audience back in time to a damp, rural village hall devoid of electricity. Here we watched the unfolding of the thwarted hopes and dreams of the village inhabitants, young and old. It was a clever, poignant performance by the cast who kept us on tenterhooks, hoping for that illusive happy finale. There was song, laughter and I am sure I saw some tears being wiped away before the audience set off back in to the dark night.

The following evening, Bedales parents, Old Bedalians, students and friends were welcomed in to the magical world of the House of MinaLima for a private tour in aid of the John Badley Foundation (JBF). MinaLima in Soho’s Greek Street is home to a wonderful exhibition of graphic art from the Harry Potter film series as well as Fantastic Beasts and a series of illustrated classic fairy tale books for Harper Collins. Miraphora Mina is an Old Bedalian and this is the second year she has hosted such an event for Bedales. Guests enjoyed a small private tour followed by a talk by Miraphora and Eduardo Lima, the co-founder of MinaLima. Ticket sales and a raffle raised funds for the JBF which allows us to give more young people a chance to benefit from the transformational opportunity a Bedales education can provide.

The end of the season of Bedales Events signals the start of another, with tickets for Spring/summer 2019 events going on sale this Saturday, 8 December 2018. Highlights include A Fortunate Man, Natalie Williams Band and of course the Bedales Rock Show. Browse all events and book tickets here.

Singer songwriter returns for sell-out performance

Bedales welcomed back renowned singer songwriter Teddy Thompson OB for a performance in a packed Olivier Theatre recently. Students supported Teddy with solo and group performances of songs they had composed. The evening, organised by Bedales guitar teacher Neil Hornsby, raised £5,000 for the John Badley Foundation, which is providing full bursaries for young people with talent and potential. Earlier in the afternoon, Teddy held a songwriting workshop for students to help and inspire them to develop their music, and described participants as “so poised and confident.” Read more. Read student reviews. View photos. Read exclusive interview with Teddy.

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Bedales School is one of the UK’s top independent private co-education boarding schools. Bedales comprises three schools situated in Steep, near Petersfield, Hampshire: Dunannie (ages 3–8), Dunhurst (ages 8–13) and Bedales itself (ages 13–18). Established in 1893 Bedales School puts emphasis on the Arts, Sciences, voluntary service, pastoral care, and listening to students’ views. Bedales is acclaimed for its drama, theatre, art and music. The Headmaster is Keith Budge.

Student reviews of Teddy Thompson concert

On Monday, many Bedales students saw our peers play in a highly anticipated concert in the theatre. Whilst the majority of us had copious amounts of work to do we set down our books to go and see our friends perform with Teddy Thompson (Old Bedalian). The Olivier Theatre was full of parents, students and local people who had heard about the gig and as Neil Hornsby (music teacher and mentor for the four acts about to play) came on stage, we could tell it was going to be a good night. The line up was incredible with Zak Hobbs (6.2), Josie Blakelock (6.1), Delilah Montagu (Block 4), and Block 5s Rosheen Bond and George Gardner (who unbelievably had been only working together for six weeks!). These acts were jaw-droppingly good, especially considering everything performed had been written by them. The first half went so quickly I was shocked when the lights came up and we were ushered out so the crew could set up for Teddy. Unfortunately, duty called and I had to run off and write a Classics essay and missed Teddy’s performance, however I’ve heard only good words about his set. The gig was in aid of the school’s John Badley Foundation, so hopefully in the future we will have even more inspiring artists come and perform for this great cause.

By Calum Knight, Block 5

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OB Teddy Thompson filled the Olivier Theatre last Monday night with a terrific performance after a well received song writing workshop. After a half hour opening set from Delilah Montagu, Josie Blakelock, Zak Hobbs and the new George Gardner and Rosheen Bond duo, Teddy began his set. His voice carried the audience through his ballads of sorrow such as Separate Ways to his upbeat That’s Enough Out Of You. In balancing the occasional heavy-heartedness of these songs Teddy lightened the mood with his signature wit. At the end of the set Teddy reintroduced nephew Zak to join him on two tracks. All funds raised went to the John Badley Foundation.

By Zak Hobbs, 6.2

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Bedales School is one of the UK’s top independent private co-education boarding schools. Bedales comprises three schools situated in Steep, near Petersfield, Hampshire: Dunannie (ages 3–8), Dunhurst (ages 8–13) and Bedales itself (ages 13–18). Established in 1893 Bedales School puts emphasis on the Arts, Sciences, voluntary service, pastoral care, and listening to students’ views. Bedales is acclaimed for its drama, theatre, art and music. The Headmaster is Keith Budge.

Teddy Thompson treat – book early

Teddy Thompson, acclaimed singer-songwriter and Old Bedalian, will perform on Monday 19 November, 7.30pm at the Olivier Theatre supported by Bedales students. Teddy’s original songs and live performances generated such acclaim that he was soon signed to Virgin Records. In 2008, he released the upbeat and highly acclaimed, A Piece of What You Need, which was declared “one of this year’s best” by The Guardian and debuted at #9 in the UK pop charts. Tickets, at £20 and £15 concessions, are available from tickets@bedales.org.uk or 01730 711511. Payment can be made by credit card, cheque (to ‘Bedales Schools Development Trust’) or charged to the school bill. Proceeds will go to the school’s John Badley Foundation which provides full bursaries for children who would be unable to consider an independent education. More information.

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Bedales School is one of the UK’s top independent private co-education boarding schools. Bedales comprises three schools situated in Steep, near Petersfield, Hampshire: Dunannie (ages 3–8), Dunhurst (ages 8–13) and Bedales itself (ages 13–18). Established in 1893 Bedales School puts emphasis on the Arts, Sciences, voluntary service, pastoral care, and listening to students’ views. Bedales is acclaimed for its drama, theatre, art and music. The Headmaster is Keith Budge.