Year Group Concerts
The Spring Term was extremely busy for our musicians. A total of 101 pupils performed in the 2008 Year Group Concerts in the Upper School Hall on piano, violin, cello, flute, oboe, voice, clarinet, trombone, guitar, recorder and drums. For some, this was their first experience of public performance and they coped admirably with their nerves and adrenaline!
Some familiar themes came through in the Year 3 Concert, most notably, ‘Ode to Joy’ by Beethoven on
a range of instruments. In addition Year 4 performed ‘It’s Alive’, the appropriately named piece on the drum kit. In Year 5 we heard many pupils becoming more accomplished in standard and performance techniques, some even managing to smile – albeit in relief – at the end of their performance. Last but not least, we were treated to some very mature performances showing much potential both now and for the future in our Year 6 Concert. Very well done to everyone, with thanks to parents and instrumental teachers for their on-going support and encouragement.
Jazz Day at Stowe School
A group of musicians from Years 4 to 6 embarked on a day of improvisation and Jazz at Stowe School, with about 120 other pupils from some of the top Prep Schools in the country.
Following refreshments in the Marble Hall, we proceeded to the chapel for a whole group improvisation session under the leadership of Graham Mann, Director of the Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra.
After our lunch, overlooked by a life-sized oil painting of George II to our left and a Capability Brown vista to the right, we split into smaller groups of two schools working together on other pieces for the afternoon performance. We focused on two works, ‘Frothy Coffee’ and ‘Side Tracked’ written by Sarah Watts.
The day culminated in a concert of all of the pieces studied in small groups, and a grand finale of the whole group improvised work from the start of the day. All in all, a fantastic day was had by all.
Junk Music Workshop
Our Junk Music Workshop on the 11th June was run by instructor Michael Freeman.
By Hannah Nolan, Year 6:
“To begin with Michael played a rhythm out of junk, which he had turned into instruments. He then asked us what images we had in our minds as he played the different instruments. Following this, he played traditional instruments from various countries and we got to go onto the stage to play the instruments, which were made from wood, plastic, and goat skin.”
By Darshan Wouhra, Year 5:
“After lunch, our group made our own junk instruments. I started making a guitar out of an egg tray, four rubber bands and two tubes as the bridge. Then I made a recorder out of a toilet roll tube and I used scissors to cut out the holes.”
Music Trip to the Elgar Birthplace Museum
12 pupils from Years 3 to 6 who are heavily involved in School Ensembles visited the birthplace of one of this country’s greatest composers, Sir Edward Elgar, just outside Worcester, on a fine autumn day in October. Amongst his most famous works are ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Pomp and Circumstance’.
We were able to look around his house, which has been preserved as a museum. The house has many artefacts belonging to the composer who also lived a varied life beyond the realms of music. Everything from original handwritten manuscripts of his symphonies to crosswords and doodles, passports and family photographs are on display.
By Elise Kim, Year 5:
“We discovered that if we filled a shaker with rice, it made a soft sound but if you fill it with harder things then you get a louder sound. I made a shaker and a guitar all in one. We then made pan pipes to blow. You had to put tape over the hole at one end and another to secure it. Afterwards, we played on the stage in the Hall! It was a fantastic day!”
Carol Service
The carol service was held at St. George’s Church on Tuesday 16th December.
We were treated to a musical feast by the choir who sang ‘Candlelight’ and ‘Star Carol’ beautifully. The readers unfolded the mystery of the Christmas Story with great clarity and feeling
The congregation sang carols that included ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, ‘From Heaven You Came’, ‘Light of the World’ and ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks’.
Everybody walked back to the School and tucked into tea and mince pies in the Dining Room – full of the spirit of Christmas!
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The Hallfieldian
2008-2009
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