Whilst September was spent getting everything up and running again, with new ensembles forming and music practice becoming 'the norm' again, October began with a wonderful Pre-Prep and Junior Harvest Festival, where music included Our Wonderful World, Busy God for Harvest, Under the Harvest Moon and Sharing Day and Let's Harvest.
The Autumn Performance Platform was a lovely showcase of what had been achieved by pupils early on in the year. Dylan (Year 4) was particularly memorable for his assured performance of Clementi's Sonatina in G and Kabalevsky's Toccatina on piano, whilst his brother Steven (Year 8) impressed with Saint-Saens' Allegro Appassionato and Bach's ever-popular Prelude from Suite No. 1 on the cello. George (Year 8) played a fantastic version of Nightingale's Passion Fruit Samba on the trumpet with some exceedingly difficult high notes, whilst Oscar (Year 8) demonstrated his command of the flute with Poulenc's Cantalina.
Just before the half term holiday, Mr Dichmont and Mr Allum gave a splendid piano recital in the Millennium Hall - An Evening in Vienna, raising funds for the Chapel Choir's forthcoming tour to Vienna. Music by composers with a connection to the city - Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms - featured alongside a wonderful arrangement of The Blue Danube for piano duet. Thank you to all who supported this concert, which raised over a thousand pounds for tour funds.
Leapfrogging over the half term holiday, it was soon time for the School Concert. All of the school's ensembles were on show, the Orchestra opening the concert with two Gershwin numbers - An American in Paris and I Got Plenty o' Nuttin. Junior Choir transported us to prehistoric times with The Last Dinosaur and The Dinosaur Gang by Lin Marsh. Saturday Choir impressed with Star of County Down, The Wide Missouri (with Xander playing a beautiful flute descant), and Gary Barlow's Sing. The Rock Band opened the second half with Zombie by The Cranberries whilst Chapel Choir closed the evening with three sacred works: For the beauty of the earth and Look to the day by Rutter, and Panis Angelicus by Franck. Soloists on the night included Lara (Y3) on the recorder with Bonsor Scherzino, Darcy (Y6) on cello with Pirates of the Caribbean, and James (Y8) who gave a very polished performance of Mozart's Fantasie in D minor on piano.
The November Performance Platform was primarily a chance for those taking exams to showcase their pieces. Georgia (Y2) gave an assured performance, singing Lavender's Blue. Chester and Sebastian (Y3) performed The Old Castle on violin and Remember Me on piano, whilst Alice (Y8) partnered with Mr Allum on piano with Berceuse for piano duet. Dylan (Y4) also performed with Mr Allum, this time with part of Faure's Dolly Suite. Andrew (Y8) gave a sensitive performance of Wedgewood's Arioso on violin, whilst Charlie (Y8) was also impressive on the instrument with Dancla's Air Varie.
The Chapel Choir began their busiest period of the year with the hugely atmospheric Advent Carol Service at Boxgrove Priory. Always a favourite event for many people, this year was no exception, with some fine singing and impressive reading as the church was transformed from darkness to light. If you have never been to this service before, make it a date for next year!
The Y3&4 production of Chickalita was always going to be an entertaining evening, with toe-tapping songs and hilarious dialogue (with more puns than you could throw a stick at)! The pupils were spectacular on the night, bringing a fantastic energy to the show, elevated even further by the band, consisting of Rufus, Isaac and Freddie from Year 7, led by Mr Berkley and Mr Allum.
The Chapel Choir continued their hectic schedule with not one, but three visits to local care homes, where the residents greatly appreciated their performances and conversation. It is always wonderful to witness the power of music in action, and nowhere is this more obvious than with the elderly. The pupils so enjoyed chatting with the residents and sharing stories of how they would be spending Christmas. It was also good to visit Waterhaven Place, just a stone's throw from school, for the first time and we hope to establish an ongoing relationship with them going forward. The choir also managed to successfully dodge the showers to sing for the Rotary Club at The Cross in Chichester, which is always a favourite event (not least for the hot chocolate back at school afterwards!)
Mrs Rowe's piano pupils were out in force at her Class Concert in the last week of term. Performances from Phoebe and Sofia (Y4), Imogen (Y2), Annabel (Y5) and Jane (Y4) were combined with Mrs Rowe's pupils from outside of school in a lovely celebration of the instrument. Well done to all.
The Y3-6 Carol Service, in a festively decorated Millennium Hall, saw the Junior Choir on fine form with a beautiful performance of Rutter's Carol of the Children and the Jamaican traditional carol, The Virgin Mary had a baby boy. Meanwhile, Y5 gave a jolly performance of Cowboy Carol whilst Y6 sang the American traditional version of Away in a Manger with Jiheon providing a violin descant, before combing with Y5 for a performance of Bullard's Jesus Christ the Apple Tree with Maya and Ella playing their flutes. Poems written by a selection of Y5s were read alongside verses from the bible and soloists Charlotte, Ivan, Jiheon and Arthur performed splendidly in Once in Royal and We Three Kings.
Meanwhile, the Senior Carol Service at Boxgrove Priory saw the church packed to the rafters with pupils, parents, staff and friends. This was a joyful celebration of the Christmas story, told through readings and music led by the Chapel Choir, with James M providing music on the organ beforehand. Music in the service included Rutter's Nativity Carol, Chilcott's O Little Town (complete with flute and cello descants from Bea and Steven), and Adolf Adam's O Holy Night, interspersed by some hearty congregational singing of some favourite carols. A wonderfully uplifting end to the term.
This term we were sad to lose a very talented musician from our ranks. Harpist Dan K moved to Paris at the end of term, having just secured 3rd Prize at a prestigious international harp competition in Hungary. Congratulations to her, and we wish her the very best of luck in her future musical studies!
