Celebrating World Music Day

World Music Day is held every year on 21st June so this year we held our own LP version on Friday 20th June so that we could celebrate together on a school day! The idea was launched by the French Minister of Culture in 1982 and is now celebrated in over 120 countries across the globe.

Speaking before the event, Director of Music and Media, Rosemary Scales, commented: “As part of our Sound for Soul: Music for Wellbeing initiative, this year we are celebrating World Music Day. The purpose of the day is to get a little bit more music in everybody’s lives, as we know the positive impact music can have on all of us.” She went on to explain how music brings people together, reduces stress, boosts creativity, improves focus and energy and enables self-expression.

Rose continued, “I am really looking forward to seeing our Body Percussion Workshops with Aluá from ‘Beat Goes On’. They will be great fun and highly interactive and engaging. I am also very excited to see our lunchtime Spotlight concert, which for the first time will involve Leighton Park students performing alongside some cellists from Katesgrove Primary School following a year of lessons with one of our instrumental teachers, Victoria Groves, as part of our outreach programme.  I have also really loved reading everybody’s Desert Island Tracks, staff and students and seeing the eight tracks that they just couldn’t leave behind if they went to a desert island! There are some absolutely fantastic playlists! The most important part of the day is that everybody can feel involved and that we just have some fun with music at the centre of everything!”

For most students their first musical experience of the day was the whole School Collect where Brazilian percussionist, Aluá Nascimento, joined us to deliver a hands (and feet!) on session of rhythmic music making for over 500 people! As a former member of STOMP and accolades including Latin UK Awards and Focus Brazil Awards, Aluá’s mesmerising performances weave rhythms and cultures together providing unique musical experiences.

The Upper Foyer of the MMC displayed a mini-beach with palm trees adorned with luggage tags listing the desert island tracks from members of the school community! Those visiting the StrARTa art show this week can take their time to browse the music that inspires us and perhaps listen to some of the 640 favourites recommended!

Meanwhile, as part of Year 9 Orientation Day, our current Year 8 students—joined by new joiners starting in September 2025—enjoyed an energetic Samba Brazilian Body Beat workshop, delivered by The Beat Goes On.

Our final Spotlight Lunchtime Concert of the year aligned perfectly with LP’s World Music Day celebrations. The audience—which included Leighton Park students and staff, along with guests from Katesgrove School—was treated to a wonderful selection of performances, featuring piano solos by Larry, Freddie, Gaia, Koda, and Maxi, as well as impressive alto saxophone and vocal pieces. A special feature of the concert was the participation of four beginner cellists from, Katesgrove, who confidently shared their developing skills—demonstrating both their potential and the positive impact of our Partnerships programme.