Autumn Concert Well Received

Over 50 young musicians at the School recently performed at the annual Autumn Concert. Aged between 10 and 18, the pupils, united in their love of music played enthusiastically in Big School to a packed and very enthusiastic audience of over 200.  

The Schools Ensemble opened the Concert with a rousing performance of Thunderbirds are Go by Barry Gray and this was followed by one of the youngest talented musicians at the School, Year 7 pupil, Ollie Smith, performing on the piano, Gnossienne by Eric Satie. A young violinist then played as part of a duet with Elizabeth Walsh in Year 7, alongside Upper Sixth Form student, Nia Squirrell. Their chosen piece was the 1st movement from Bachs Double Violin Concerto.

Four vocal soloists then enchanted the audience with Katy Leeming, in Year 9, singing Tell me on a Sunday by Lloyd-Webber, Poppy Clarke in Year 8 singing Popular from Wicked, written by Stephen Schwatrz. Year 9 pupils, Lily Wilson, followed, performing Home and the Heartland by Bill Whelen and then it was the turn of Will Ainge to sing Did you not hear my lady by Handel.             

Two talented wind players, Year 9 pupil, Harry Fradley and Emily Roberts in Year 10, further delighted the audience with their solo performances. Harry, playing the clarinet, performed Vocalise by Rachmaninoff and Emily, on the flute, performed Petite fantasie sue le Carnaval de Venise, Demersseman.

The Schools Sax Group then performed 2 pieces, Kananaskis, by Brad Robert and Joplins The Strenuous Life.  This was followed by the Schools magnificent Schulze Organ being played by Year 9 pupil Richard Walsh. He chose to play Prelude by Cesar Franck and Postlude by Samuel Wesley.  

John Paul, Sixth Form student and Music Scholar, who was the 2011 Oswestry Music Festival overall winner, then wowed the audience with his performance of Minskys New Orleans Jazz Man. Alice Tow also sang with much emotion, Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri. Then, before the interval, the Scholars Ensemble returned to the stage to play Elgars Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1.

The performers of the second half of the Autumn Concert were all Sixth Form Music Scholars, many of whom are currently auditioning for Music Conservatoires. First to delight the audience was talented violinist, Luke Taylor performing Legende by Wienianwski. Mimi Luanghvisut followed with an enchanting piano recital of Rachmaninoffs Humoreske. George Fradley played the 1st movement of Bachs Sonata in G minor and Nia Squirrell, a violin player, as well as a singer, chose to delight the audience with her performance of the first movement of Vivaldis Spring, from the Four Seasons. Three vocalists then followed, with Vicky Tadros, moving the audience with her rendition of Deh vieni, non tadar, by Mozart, Daisy Clarke, What I did for love by Marvin Hamlisch and Kate Parry, singing Songbird by Eva Cassidy.

The concert finished with a superb finale by the Schools Orchestra, performing I see you from the film Avatar by James Horner and Themes from 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, which demonstrated wonderfully the diversity of orchestral playing that is performed by the musically talented pupils in the School.

Roger Paul, Director of Music, who conducted the annual Concert commented, With so many musically talented pupils at the School, the last few weeks rehearsing with them has been a delight. Their combined love of music and focus has resulted in a most uplifting and memorable concert for both audience and players alike.          

Photo : Elizabeth Walsh in Year 7

22nd November 2011  Back to News