Music Highlights for the Year 2006 to 2007

Music and Verse Speakers 17th and 19th May

The Junior section of the Music and Verse Speaking Competition, which took place on Tuesday evening (17th May), gave our younger pupils the chance to show off their talents. The challenge for the Junior Music Trophy was closely contested, Rebecca W gaining first place with her expressive performance of Rieding's Concertino in G for violin.

Winner of The Read Trophy for Junior Verse Speaking was Laura R, who conveyed the humour of Marriott Edgar's “Albert and The Lion” with a brilliant Lancashire accent. After the interval, the School Orchestra entertained the audience with Georges St. George's Preludio and Allemanda, and Black Jack by Pamela Wedgewood.

The Senior section of the competition was held on Thursday evening (19th May), and provided a fitting platform for our upper school pupils to display their talents. Clark S's outstanding delivery of Edgar Allan Poe's demanding and complex poem “The Raven” was a worthy winner of the Birch Trophy for Senior Verse Speaking.

The audience was treated to a varied programme of solo performances, with Edwin's assured rendition of Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso taking the Guilmant Trophy for Senior Music.

In the Ensemble category, the Fret Music Trophy was awarded to Harry G, Hideo O and Thomas S, who performed their own composition, “Senseless”, whilst the Trevor Rice Trophy for Ensemble playing was awarded to Naomi Nixon and Rebecca Waldron for their performance of Campangoli's Allegro.

Spartan House were winners of both Junior and Senior competitions.

Royal Naval salute to Musicians - It is always reassuring to know that our successes are recognised by others, and following the even we ave received a letter from Captain Long (Royal Marines), one of the Competition Adjudicators, commenting “It was a great pleasure to witness such a wealth of talent… your school's pupils, teachers and parents have every right to be extremely proud of the high standard achieved…”

The Carol Service at Bitterne Parish Church was a delightful occasion, and we were very pleased to see so many parents there.

Our Christmas Concert at the Turner Sims Hall was one of our most successful yet, and we received many comments from members of the audience praising the pupils for such a high standard of performance.

On Tuesday 17th October, 40 pupils, mainly from Years 10 and 11 GCSE Drama and Music groups, were privileged to visit the Glyndebourne Theatre in Sussex for a performance of Mozart’s Opera, “Cosí van Tutte”.  This was a wonderful experience for all who went. 

National Music Week October 9th to 13th was a huge success at school, and gave all pupils the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of musical activities.  The lunchtime recitals were polished and professionally delivered, and our thanks go to the visiting musicians whose performances were greatly appreciated by all. 

One of the groups which performed, “President Zebra” (four members of Year 11), made their public debut at the “Talking Heads” Club in Portswood last Sunday evening, and gave an excellent account of themselves.