The adage about spinning plates must surely apply to the frenetic activity in the Music School over this past six weeks.
The forward momentum has been fast and furious; and it is always wonderful to see students, parents and colleagues joining us to hear the musical delights emanating from our talented musicians.
We had barely returned from the winter holiday, before the NLCS Sessions evening was upon us, enabling student soloists and groups to perform music from pop genres including hits such as True Colours and Skyfall. This past week provided another opportunity for similar such performances through the Guitar Concert, led by Mr Marlow, which featured music by Texas, Declan McKenna and Coldplay; as well as some fabulous pieces composed by our very own NLCS students. We were honoured to be able to welcome to the audience, Toby Marlow, co-writer of Six the Musical.
Toby Marlow, co-writer of Six the Musical, speaks to our students after a wonderful Guitar concert.
We held our third lunchtime Recital mid-January which was open to Year 7 students then a week later saw us present our third Old House Evening Recital with students performing an array of beautiful music including such composers as Alberto Ginastera, J S Bach and John Williams. In the same week, Mrs Osedo led our now annual Piano Duet concert in conjunction with the French Department, focussing on the complete Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns. In amongst all of this, the department led a trip to the lovely Bridge Theatre to see a production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods.
Into February and we presented the continuation of our Instrumental Spotlight series, with Saxophonists on 2nd February and Cellists on 12th February. These concerts involve students from across the Junior and Senior schools, providing an important performance opportunity for developing musicians.
A major highlight of the academic year in the Music School was the Chamber Music Concert on 10th February. This concert provides a stage for our Music Scholars and advanced musicians to present trios, quartets and quintets by composers including Beethoven, Ries, Schumann and Piazzolla. The Chamber Music Concert is adjudicated as the top six groups will go through to the first round of the South East Schools Chamber Music Competition after Half Term. We were very pleased to welcome Carmen Flores of the Villiers Quartet as our adjudicator for the evening.
See you after Half Term as we launch into our large-scale concerts featuring all of our orchestras and choirs. We are looking forward, especially, to the forthcoming annual London concert, this year being held in Southwark Cathedral.
Scott R McCall
Director of Music
