An update of all things musical
This term began with a treat for our Year 3s, who made the short journey to the Festival Theatre to hear a live orchestra. Having tried out various orchestral instruments in their Year 2 taster lessons and explored them in a little more detail last term, it was time to hear them all in action. Southern Pro Musica, including our very own Mrs Peskett (viola), performed lots of memorable pieces, including Light Cavalry Overture, Handel’s Hornpipe from The Water Music and the charming story-piece Tubby the Tuba.
Later that week, it was time for our own Music Scholars to take to the stage in the Millennium Hall. All children who hold music awards performed, including our Y8 Scholars who performed the full programmes they will be taking to their senior school auditions. It was wonderful and inspiring for our youngest musicians to see and hear their older counterparts. Highlights included pianist Jane (Year 3) performing The Daring Cossack by Noona, Dan (Year 6) with Little Fountain by Pratt on the harp, and Hazel (Year 8) performing Bach's Prelude from Suite No. 1 for cello.
Two of our senior string players accompanied Mr Cooke to Charterhouse School for their annual Strings Day. The children were grouped according to ability and worked through an impressive amount of very accessible repertoire, including the Waltz from Tchaikovsky’s Serenade. The day concluded with an informal concert - with Charterhouse string players joining in with the Tchaikovsky - followed by a sumptuous tea. Katie Harris, Head of Strings at Charterhouse, commented that the children had all behaved kindly and generously towards each other, and worked diligently and enthusiastically throughout the day.
Our annual visit from World Music Workshops' Jim Bernadin was a crashing and banging success once again. Music from India and China took centre stage, with the favourite instrument being, unsurprisingly, the massive gong! Year 3 and Year 4 gave a splendid concert for parents at the end of the day. I felt as though I had been on a trip around the world in 20 minutes!
Our Year 3 pupils also had their first taste of inter-patrol music yesterday, with all pupils taking part in the annual recorder competition. Having begun learning the instrument in Year 2, this was the culmination of over a year's work, with all participants doing themselves proud. The Advanced class saw two pupils, Jane and Dylan, playing Grade 1 pieces with Mr Allum accompanying them on the piano. Both performed brilliantly. Congratulations to all involved, and a particular 'well done' to Dylan who was selected by the judges, Mrs Davies and Miss Hannan, as our winner.
Just before half term, the Chapel Choir made the short journey to Midhurst Parish Church to give a Lunchtime Concert to an appreciative audience of parents and parishioners, previewing some of the programme they will take to Seville. This was a new venue for the choir, and it proved very popular.
Last but by no means least this half term was the Inter-Patrol Music Competition (Songs and Ensembles) which saw all prep school children compete with their patrols in a closely fought competition. Each patrol fielded three ensembles - Junior (Years 3/4), Intermediate (Years 5/6) and Senior (Years 7/8), all of whom did a smashing job, from piano duets and string duos to eight-piece bands. For the first time in a long time, it was one patrol who dominated proceedings here - the Tigers - who were awarded 1st place in all sections. Congratulations Tigers! It was then onto the much-anticipated patrol song competition, this year featuring two classic numbers from Grease: Summer Nights and We Go Together. The children sang their hearts out and did well to get their mouths around some tricky lyrics! It was the Panthers who triumphed here, with a cracking performance featuring some very creative dance moves and top notch singing. However, it was to be the Tigers' night as they were crowned the overall winners of the competition.