This half term began in genteel style with a piano recital given by Alex Dichmont and Richard Allum at Bignor Park, the home of former Westbourne House parents Lord and Lady Mersey. Raising over £1000 for the Chapel Choir Tour to Edinburgh, this was a wonderful evening of music, food and wine, including a dramatic rendition of Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture for piano duet.
The Spring Performance Platform contained many accomplished performances, with every year group in the Prep School represented. Luna and Xander both gave assured performances of Alan Bullard’s Dodgems on piano, whilst William serenaded us all with Jason Mraz’ I’m Yours on the ukulele. Bea gave an assured performance of Clementi’s Rondo, from Sonatina in G, showing a delightful lightness of touch, and Sarah was impressive in her performance of Charpentier’s Prelude on viola. Well done to all who took part.
The Junior Choir, currently numbering nearly eighty children, were out in force in the final week of term for a concert showcasing their hard work, performing four songs from The Lion King. From Circle of Life to Hakuna Matata, with a few solos from some of our best junior instrumentalists to boot, the concert provided a wonderfully joyful end to the day. The Junior Choir is a voluntary group which rehearses once a week. The choir will now be setting their sights on the much-anticipated School Concert at the end of next term!
Lastly, thank you to all our parents and visitors for attending the Chapel Choir’s Edinburgh Preview Concert at Boxgrove Priory. Alex Dichmont, said: “We are delighted the concert raised over £1000 for Children on the Edge, who will put the money to very good use, assisting Ukranian refugees in Romania and Moldova. It was wonderful to have a full Priory. The children sang brilliantly and are now very much looking forward to performing in three spectacular venues in Scotland next week.”
Westbourne House School Head of Charities, Helen Barker, said: “The ethos of the school is very much about helping and we have been talking to our pupils about the ongoing war in the Ukraine to make sure we support them with their concerns and worries. Raising money like this really helps the children to feel that they can do something to help and we have been working with the Chichester-based charity, Children on the Edge, to fundraise as much as we can. This amazing charity regularly updates us on what they are doing and where the money is going, and we are so delighted to have already raised over £7000 so far.” Thank you to Greatest Hits Radio Sussex, BBC Radio Sussex and Chichester Observer for the extensive coverage of this concert.
The Chapel Choir depart for Edinburgh on Monday 28th March where they will give concerts at St Mary’s Cathedral, St Giles’ Cathedral and St Mary’s Church in Haddington.
Lastly, congratulations to the following pupils who all received Distinctions in the recent set of music exams:
Xander Piano Initial
Olive Violin Initial
Bea Cello Grade 1
Rufus Singing Grade 1
Lucas Viola Grade 1
Sarah Viola Grade 2
Jay Cello Grade 2
Shruti Trombone Grade 3
