Music highlights in the Autumn term 2007
05 May 2008
The first Sunday of term gave our Junior choir of last year an opportunity to perform. As they had both sung Believe for the Hollies concert back in June, and had recorded it on the new CD we felt it should be heard by members of the School. We were delighted that all the members of the Second and Third Form of last year agreed to sing in this.
Traditionally we have two new music scholars performing in the dining room at the new parents gathering. This year Eugenie Moxon and David Porter, both Third Form performed. Eugenie sang Ave Maria and David played Orientelle on the Cello. Seeing such confident, young children performing delighted us all and we eagerly awaited the next opportunity to hear these two new pupils.
We held two acoustic sessions concerts this term for singing pupils. The first one involved eleven singing pupils of Miss Burke and guitar pupils of Mr Presavage. Acoustic implied lack of electronics, and this was very much the case in the first concert, with some lovely intimately sung performances accompanied by classical guitar. There were a healthy number of boarders in the audience which numbered over 70. The second concert in November took place in the Chapel and featured every one of Miss Burke's pupils. For many of them it was the first time in front of an audience. Some sang to backing tracks, some to the piano. We were impressed with the audience turn out; there were around 100 pupils and adults supporting them.
On the third of October we welcomed the composer John Harris to Loretto. John worked with the Fifth Form GCSE musicians in the morning on group improvising and minimalism and with the Sixth Form composers individually in the afternoon. John's work enabled all pupils to gain more experience before commencing their composition coursework.
Our Harvest Service featured the new anthem Look at the world by Rutter sung by the Senior Choir.
Songfest took on the newly devised format of last year. We have now established this event as an intercolour event. Colours are mixed and it is heartening to see Juniors and Seniors mixing so well together; from the first rehearsal to the final performance on stage. Mrs Fiona Love, Assistant Director of Music at St Leonard's school was our adjudicator. Staff in particular felt that this was one of the best Songfests of recent years; there wasn't a single item that was less than very good. Some items were, as usual outstanding. I am always particularly keen to see first time soloists take to the stage, and those who did deserve commendation. The four soloists who represented their colour for the solo song section were Alexander Urquhart, Rosanna Single, Adam Galloway and Katy Thomson. All of the theatre proceedings were watched as usual on a big screen from the Dining Hall. The 190 strong crowd of parents and staff thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Tristram won, but it was a close contest and all four colours were mentioned by parents as being their colour of choice. The resulting DVD is still available should anybody wish to relive the evening.
After half term we took all academic musicians to Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall for our annual RSNO schools concert performance. All the music was introduced to us via powerpoint, and we were treated to some popular masterpieces, from Ravel's Bolero to Elgar's Nimrod. An impressive contemporary flute concerto by an American composer left the flautists in our group mesmerised.
Later that day we welcomed Marilyn Boulton to the School. A former Director of Music and professional pianist, Marilyn gave an hour and a half workshop to the pianists practising for the Moray piano competition. Meanwhile Katy Thomson was performing to Peter Hogan, our new Headmaster, and parents in the dining room.
On the 24th October we held another Informal concert. These have only been going two terms and have already become immensely popular with both listeners and volunteers.
The Prep School Roadshow has become an autumn term regular. The prep road show concert was held in the Chapel two days before leaving. Twenty four pupils and three staff travelled down to Yorkshire for three days. Our aim was two fold; to visit some of our feeder schools in the area, and to sing and play in some prestigious venues. Our tour took in lunchtime concerts in both Ripon and Sheffield Cathedrals as well as a concert in S. Anselm's School Bakewell and a service and a concert in Malsis school. A full report on the tour can be found on the School's web site. Needless to say we had an excellent trip and have made some new friends at these venues along the way.
Billed as a fund raiser for the forthcoming tour to Italy by the choir, the Hamper Cabaret was an occasion with a difference. We invited guests to bring their own hampers to the School dining room and dine whilst being entertained 'cabaret' style. From 7.30 till gone 10 there was continuous music whilst dining, with the exception of an excellent powerpoint presentation on the trip given by Mr Lowe. There was certainly no competition; but the variety of acts was truly impressive. For some though, Tristan Lamotte's performance on the piano and singing, together with Harry Gobourn was the icing on the cake. Both boys are only in the Third Form, but produced an astonishingly professional item for their age. I am sure we will hear much more from them in the future. The choir naturally rounded off the evening with a sample of music they will be taking away with them on tour. The Hamper cabaret evening raised over £1500 and a non uniform day a few days later raised another £600 for the tour.
Loretto performers offered the audience in Haddington's Town House a wonderful evening celebrating the arts on Sunday 4th November. With pupils' paintings delighting the eye, the musicians and poetry readers delighted the ear and the hall gave it all a most attractive setting. The very fine Bosendorfer grand piano located there is only two years old and the pianists who were to compete in the Moray Piano Competition were particularly grateful for the opportunity of playing it. Bach, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Casanovas, Field, Ravel and Schumann pieces tested the range of the instrument and the dexterity and interpretation of the pianists. The sheer variety of pieces was enough to delight but the polished nature of the delivery was impressive too, as performer after performer settled to play. A retiring collection was taken for CHAS, the Children's Hospice Association.
The weekend of the 10th and 11th was another busy weekend. Mr Brown took four of the pianists who played at Haddington up to the Moray Piano Competition. All competed in the 13-16 age category and produced very good performances on the magnificent Steinway Grand piano housed in Elgin town hall. Despite not making it though to the final (only 4 from the field of 16 were selected for the final), the experience of taking part in the competition and also in the Sunday morning masterclass with top class pianist, Martin Roscoe, was very beneficial to their future musical development.
Meanwhile back at Loretto we had our Remembrance Day service. The school sang an arrangement of For the Fallen by Mike Sammes and Katy Thomson was our soloist with the Senior Choir for a brand new version of Pie Jesu. Harriet Wood and Sophie Lonsdale provided the last post and Alexander Urquhart played Flowers of the Forest. It was as usual a memorable and highly polished occasion.
GCSE musicians have to perform and record two pieces in the Fifth Form for their coursework, and so on Thursday 22nd November we had a performance by each one of the Fifth Form GCSE candidates. For some it was their first time, but they each brought a friend and conquered their nerves sufficiently well to get up and perform. We have been looking at ways to handle nerves, to learn music quicker and to approach performances with confidence and the right body language. Being a performer only comes with lots of experience and this concert gave all those an opportunity under a little pressure. Each performer was asked to bring a few friends, although the advertising remained low key!
A late addition to our calendar was the invitation to perform at the Royal College of Physicians Annual St Andrews Tide dinner in Edinburgh. In the presence of 150 or so the small choir presented a pre dinner, thirty minute recital of Scottish music. The programme also featured a carol When Christ was born of Mary free written by Upper Sixth Former Jonny Torrance. The whole recital was warmly received by the audience, and in token of their appreciation they presented the choir with a beautifully engraved glass bowl.
The music scholars showcased their own talents on Friday 7th December with a concert in candlelight in chapel. Music ranged from Tellemann to John Williams. The final item was a piece written by Lawrence Hui. Neverland was written for his AS Music coursework last year, and we always promised him we would play it. Lawrence himself directed the 18 piece ensemble.
The Carol service for many is the highlight of the year. Tickets sold out for the Musselburgh and District one on the day they were released. Many members of the Musselburgh community really appreciate this seasonal event. Congratulations to those who took on big solos; Rosanna Single and Harriet Fisher for Once in Royal David's City, Hannah Sutherland for God rest you merry gentlemen and Adam Galloway, Lawrence Hui and Alexander Urquhart for The Three Kings.
Gareth Green, our musician in residence, played the organ for the carol services and gave individual consultations to those about to sit music examinations in January. His work is always hugely appreciated.