Inter-Patrol
The term began in style with our Year 8 Music and Drama Scholars taking the short
trip to Southampton with Mr Allum to see
Hamilton.
Meanwhile, the newest member of our Orchestra headed in the opposite direction to Lancing College for their annual Orchestral Day.
One of our guitar teachers, Mr Soothill, was pleased to present a concert featuring all of his pupils playing a range of styles, from rock to classical guitar. In the intimate space of the Honor Uloth Room, this was a lovely evening of solos from pupils from across the school.
Pupils in Year 3 took to the Millennium Hall stage one evening in May for an all-singing, all-dancing production of
Dragon Days. Having spent their music and drama lessons rehearsing and perfecting their moves and their lines, this was a spectacular evening of fantastical characters and other-wordly costumes.
Our Year 2 pupils were hot on the heels of the Year 3 children in June when they gave a performance to parents. This not only featured everyone playing a piece on their recorders, but also performances from those learning a second instrument, too. Following a series of trial lessons on orchestral instruments, several of these pupils have signed up to continue lessons in Year 3, and we are delighted to see that we will have some passionate Year 3 musicians moving up to the Prep School in September! It is never too late to sign your child up for music lessons - we will always be happy to hear from you!
The Summer Performance Platform saw a good number of pupils take to the stage in the Honor Uloth Room, many performing pieces that they had prepared for their upcoming exams. Jane (Year 3) played Kabalevsky's Grey Day Variations from memory on piano, whilst Georgina (Year 6) gave a sweet performance of Humperdinck's Sleep Song on the violin. Annabel (Year 4) played Kabalevsky's Soldier's March on the piano, whilst cellist Steven (Year 7) gave an impressive performance of Saint-Saens Allegro Appassionato.
Next up, it was the keenly anticipated Inter-Patrol Music Competition, where almost 300 performances took place in venues across the school from pupils in Years 3-8. Our adjudicators for the day were Edward Yeo (Assistant Director of Music at Eton College), Old Westbournian Darcey Wynter (Director of Music at Putney High School) and clarinettist and conductor Steve Dummer (Lancing College), all of whom commented on the scale and high level of music-making which takes place across the school. Special congratulations to those who took part in the coveted Open Class, which this year featured twelve senior musicians of Grade 6 standard and above. Music in the class included Poulenc's Sonata for flute and piano, Faure's Elegie on the cello and Greenwood's The Acrobat on trombone. All of the performances were of a high standard, but it was flautist Xander (Year 7) who was named Musician of the Year for his beautiful performance of Poulenc's Cantilena. It was the Tigers who triumphed overall, with an impressive point tally of 282. Well done Tigers!
On the penultimate Friday of the term, pupils in Year 6 showcased what they had been learning in their class lessons in a short concert for parents. This wonderful afternoon featured three percussion pieces by our own percussion teacher, Mr Berkley, alongside some lovely solos from Atty, Luna and Dan. They also performed Michael Hurd's Jonah Man Jazz, a rock cantata telling the story of Jonah and the Whale.
As we entered the final week of term, it was lovely to welcome our Year 8 parents and pupils to the Leavers' Service, at which we heard an inspiring talk from Christopher Fowler, Deputy Head at Brighton College. The Chapel Choir led the service with music by Rutter and Goodall and we enjoyed a scrumptious post-service lunch in the sunshine.
Our Year 8 pupils were back in action during the final week of term with their production of
School of Rock, rehearsed in the two weeks after their exams. Jude took the lead as Dewey Finn with Hebe as Summer and Mya as the Headmistress. With a fantastic set, authentic costumes and a live professional band, this was a night to remember. Well done to all!
Congratulations to those who took practical music exams this term, especially to Cyrus (Year 6) for Grade V singing, James (Year 7) for Grade VI piano and Hazel (Year 8) for Grade VIII cello, all of whom received Distinctions. A Distinction at Grade VIII is quite exceptional, especially for someone aged thirteen, so Hazel deserves particular praise!
Lastly came the School Concert, which showcased the very best of music-making from across the school. The Junior Choir entertained us with three songs from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, whilst the School Choir sang Michael Jackson's Heal the World and Skimbleshanks from Cats. The Orchestra opened the evening with three movements from Carnival of the Animals including The Swan with Hazel (Year 8) taking the solo cello part and Dan (Year 6) providing a rippling accompaniment on the harp. The group also performed a brilliant medley from Harry Potter. The Swing Band kept toes tapping with a polished rendition of Watermelon Man, and the 'Shopwyke Strings' String Quartet and Junior Trumpet trio were also in action. Alongside the groups, a number of stellar soloists took to the floor, including Dylan (Year 3) on piano playing the James Bond theme No Time to Die, Annabel (Year 4) on the Oboe with Orientale, James (Year 7) displayed some fancy footwork on the organ with J S Bach's Prelude in C minor, whilst Jamie (Year 8) was assured on the trombone with Let's face the music. Hazel (Year 8) played Saint-Saens Allegro Appassionato on the cello whilst Hebe (Year 8) sang Bring Him Home from Les Miserables. Mya (Year 8) and Xander (Year 7) were both poised and produced a beautiful sound on their flutes in pieces by Rutter and Poulenc respectively, whilst Monty (Year 8) showed us all how stunning a saxophone can sound in Vacances by Damase. Lucas and Bea (Year 8) were polished on viola and piano whilst further down the school Jiheon (Year 5) and Tymek (Year 6) impressed on piano and trumpet. Last but not least, the Rock Band 'Repeat Offenders' opened the second half of the concert with Lynyrd Skynyrd's Sweet Home Alabama and Weezer's Island in the Sun.
