Percussion Group

The Percussion Group or PERK meet to rehearse, under the leadership of Mr Callum Aiken, on Thursday mornings before school. Our percussion group members play an amazing range of marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones and all manner of percussion you could hit or shake! They perform incredible pieces for shows and concerts. Some members have even played dustbins, boom-whackers and old car parts!

For me, the highlight of every year at Ballymena Academy is the music, and as a member of the Percussion Group for the past four years, it has been one of the most entertaining and rewarding groups I have had the pleasure of joining. With practices taking place on a Thursday morning from 8:30-9:15am, playing a variety of instruments that I dread to spell, percussion has truly become a passion for me and many other pupils who have taken part.

We began the year preparing for the Primary Schools’ Christmas Concerts, where we played the well-known “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Silent Night” which were thoroughly enjoyed by our young audience. Additionally, during the School’s Annual Carol Service, I had the privilege of playing a glockenspiel solo during the poignant “I Heard the Bells”, sung by the Academy Chorale. The arrival of the Spring Concert, (the best part of the year), brought an end to weekly practices as we aimed to bring to life “Pachelbel’s Canon in D” and the lively “Oye Como Va”, which was one of my favourites of the night. Additionally, members of the Percussion Group were asked to participate in other ensembles such as the Senior Orchestra and Senior Windband, where we practised with those groups in the lead-up to the concerts. One of my favourite memories is the nervous energy backstage, with everyone poised in anticipation as we waited for the curtain to rise – it’s a moment that always brings a rush of excitement as the first note rings out.

On behalf of the group, we’d like to say a massive thank you to Mrs. Church for taking up the mantle of running the group and for her patience throughout the year as we navigated a new group setting. I’ll forever treasure this year’s Spring Concerts as core memories of my time at Ballymena Academy.

Lydia Gregg