Leadership Likes: Mr King

The celebration this week of the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards was bittersweet for me.

My ability to keep up with music trends is disappearing fast, relying as I do on the occasional song finding its way from the Sixth Form centre into my office via the shared courtyard. So, I listened to some of the award-winning songs of the year. I was immediately reminded of the power of contemporary music to capture the emotions of the day.

Big artists, of course, have still had the resources to produce music over the last 12 months, whereas those hoping to “break through” are likely to have had it much harder. I very much hope the recovery of the performing arts can begin in earnest before long.

One winner, Jacob Collier, 26, from North London picked up another Grammy, the first British artist to do so on four consecutive albums. As a musical polymath, he combines styles, genres, instruments and effects not quite at random, but certainly uniquely. It is both infuriating and fascinating that one person can make such music completely solo.

Despite virtual lessons, sectional rehearsals and recorded concerts, there is no doubt that communal, live music, is missed. The popularity of the winter concerts at their live streaming is testament to that.

This week I have been liking music, therefore. Listening to trusted tracks for energy, for calm, for joy and for sorrow is comforting. I was introduced to La Paganini, to Ludivico Einaudi, to dark versions of winter carols, to new arrangements of popular songs at various school music events. I look forward to adding more favourites to my “go to” tracks as the musical landscape recovers.

Jacob Collier’s YouTube Channel is here.

David King

Deputy Head (Pastoral)