Category: Music
What a feast for the ears last week’s trip to Snape Maltings was! Students were treated to performances from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, including Shostakovich’s best ever symphony, No.10 on a beautiful balmy night. Students loved listening out for the secret message hidden in the music which they’ve been learning about in lessons (even if they did lose count of how many times the brilliant D-S-C-H theme occurred). Alice adored hearing what the five superb French horns of the BBC Welsh sounded like – inspiring stuff! Hopefully she can channel their energy and gusto in this weekend’s Gala Concert!
Year 9’s Noah reports on the pieces played and the evening.
“We left by minibus at 6.15pm – an intrepid seven students from Years 9 to 12 and Mrs Kent in the driving seat. It was a warm evening but the concert hall was well air-conditioned.
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales had their blazers off, ready to play, not only to those of use lucky enough to be there, but to everyone listening to BBC Radio 3’s live concert. The first piece was the shortest – Elizabeth Maconchy’s ‘Proud Thames’, the overture to the Queen’s coronation in 1953. It was a graceful piece utilising the whole of the orchestral palette.
The next piece was William Walton’s Cello Concerto featuring Laura van der Heijden on cello. She was a former winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year. This was a romantic but rather turbulent rollercoaster of a piece and, as it was dedicated to Walton’s wife, we speculated on the relationship they had!
After the interval we were treated to Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony, one of the most renowned pieces of the twentieth century. This was a fascinating piece as we discovered he had hidden his name within the tune and used it as a motif.
Overall, the performance was a delight to listen to and inspired all who went. Thanks to Mrs Kent for organising!”
With our Gala Concert taking place this weekend on Sunday 26 June, School is buzzing with rehearsals and nervous excitement for all of those taking part. Year 11’s Esme will be singing solo, Pie Jesu, and we met with her recently to ask how she’s feeling and preparing for the event.
“Pie Jesu is a solo I’ve sung before in a chorister competition, so I’m feeling confident that I know the piece well and am excited to sing it again. I sang a solo in last year’s concert, so although I always feel nervous before I perform, I know it’s a great opportunity that I’m going to really enjoy. Performing with an orchestra is definitely a challenge, but having rehearsed with them all, I feel it’s a wonderful opportunity to do something that I love.”
Esme takes lessons and exams in singing, percussion and LAMDA. Outside of school her musical passion continues as she learns and plays the guitar and piano. Esme loves Musical Theatre, having performed in many shows with Theatricool Performing Arts and the Colchester Operatics Society, at various local theatres including the Mercury Theatre in Colchester. She is currently rehearsing for their production of Fame.
130 performers (including our parent choir) will come together on Sunday at Ipswich Corn Exchange, promising to be a spectacular and very special event, our Director of Music Mrs Emma Kent will be conducting throughout. Tickets are now selling fast and we hope you can join us. Tickets are available directly from the Ipswich Corn Exchange by clicking here.
Rehearsals continue a pace for our annual Gala Concert, which takes place on Sunday 26 June at Ipswich Corn Exchange, with over 130 performers (including our parent choir) coming together to perform Faure’s sublime Requiem!
As we look ahead to this spectacular event, we met with Year 11’s Jasmine whose composition, ‘Ben Aan’, will be performed at the concert, it is a piece she was commissioned to compose especially for the occasion.
“The brief was to compose a piece of music that could be performed at the Gala Concert; to be played with a full orchestra and with a Scottish theme to compliment Hamish McCunn’s ‘Land of Mountain and Flood’ which will open proceedings at next Sunday’s concert. It was a huge challenge, but one I’ve been excited to take on. I will be also be performing in the piece on cello, it begins one might say with a rather sinister and dark feeling, but develops into a fun jig that then culminates in a combination of the two. Although I’m a little nervous, I can’t wait to play it.”
Jasmine plays cello, piano and sings at School as well as being a cellist in the Suffolk Youth Orchestra. She will be playing cello throughout the Gala Concert, and is excited to be playing to such a big audience in such a beautiful space.
The Gala Concert is certain to be a wonderful night, and our Director of Music Mrs Emma Kent will be conducting throughout. Tickets are now selling fast and we hope you can join us. Tickets are available directly from the Corn Exchange Ipswich by clicking here.
Our annual Gala Concert takes place on Sunday 26 June at Ipswich Corn Exchange, with over 130 performers (including our parent choir) coming together to perform Faure’s sublime Requiem!
Rehearsals are in full swing and as part of our lead up to the event we recently met with our piano soloist Etiane (Y13), who talked about being part of this wonderful musical delight.
“Mrs Kent approached me last year and invited me to take part in the Gala Concert, offering me the piano solo for the event. I’m going to be playing the Piano Concerto No. 23, KV488 by Mozart; the second and third movements. I knew that I’d probably never get another opportunity like this in my life, to play at the wonderful Corn Exchange with the orchestra – there was absolutely no chance of me not taking this opportunity. I’m incredibly excited to be part of this.”
Etiane has been playing piano since she was four years old, achieving her Grade 8 at the age of 14 and is now playing to Diploma standard. Etiane also plays the cello and will be leading the cello section of the school’s Symphony Orchestra for the rest of the programme.
The Gala Concert is certain to be a night of splendor, and all conducted by our Director of Music, Mrs Emma Kent. Do join us, you can get your tickets directly from the Corn Exchange Ipswich at www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk.
Last week the Music department was buzzing as staff and students prepared for the Woodwind Workshop. Students from all year groups took part in what was the first workshop of its kind – and it was an incredible turnout from Senior as well as Prep School students.
It’s fair to say it challenged a few students in terms of keeping up, but the overall experience was positive and the collaboration a great success.
Quite an achievement overall as the range of abilities varied from some very new starters to those musicians now post Grade 8.
Looking forward, staff and students are excited to showcase what was learned and practiced during the workshop, at our upcoming Evening of Woodwind which takes place Thursday 19 May from 6.30pm in our School Hall.
With everyone welcome to come along it’s sure to be a super event and it looks certain that the workshop will continue throughout the School years ahead.
Head of Music Mrs Kent described this year’s inaugural Music residential trip to Bawdsey Manor as, “an extraordinary weekend!” Here she reports on the weekend’s events.
75 students from Years 7 to Year 12, and 9 members of staff, spent three days making music, bonding and taking part in outdoor activities – but mostly having an enormous amount of fun!
Spending three to four hours each day performing music, climbing Jacob’s Ladders, scrambling through courses, swinging on a giant swing, zooming down zip wires and competing in wacky races and sung (or rather shouted!) themselves hoarse around camp fires for 55 hours straight.
Bawdsey Manor is an idyllic setting with beautiful sea views, immaculate grounds, a Great Hall much like something out of Harry Potter, with excellent food and the most incredible support on-site staff – huge thanks to PGL Bawdsey for their warm welcome and energy throughout.
The cherry on the cake was the ‘Prom’ concert held in School Hall and the Tuckwell to an appreciative audience of 200 plus friends and family who were treated to a concert band, string orchestra, rock band, freeform guitar/singing/ukulele ensembles, a ‘Happy’ choir and of course the combined symphony orchestra and symphony choir version of ‘Dry Your Tears Afrika’ by John Williams from the film Amistad.
Thanks to all the students for working so hard, making us laugh and feel proud of them all weekend.
Join us next year for BAND CAMP 2023 – Around the World in 80 hours.
Spring heralds new shoots of growth and so it was an apt time for us share our musical new shoots of growth with the wider community at St. John’s Church in Woodbridge last Friday evening. A packed church was treated to upbeat band based numbers from the Concert Band, Training Band, Samba Band, Percussion, Single-reed Ensemble and Swing band – all of which got our toes tapping and the students dancing and whooping in the gallery. But it wasn’t all funk, soul and tangos, there were more tender moments provided by Cellisti and a fun little duet on the Marimba of the Mario theme tune from our faithful Y13 percussionists Will and Tom. If you weren’t one of 120+ audience do not fear because you can catch up here.
On Tuesday 8 March, Woodbridge School held An Evening of Vocal Music at St Mary’s Church in the town; and for the first time in nearly two years the Church was filled with an unlimited audience.
The amassed choirs of Woodbridge Prep and Senior Schools provided an exceptional evening of song, directed by Miss Weston and Miss Barnes, accompanied by Christine Stafford.
The senior Chamber Choir set the bar high with an uplifting rendition of Finzi’s ‘My Spirit Sang All Day’ to begin the concert, and thoroughly deserved the rousing applause they received for ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.
The Prep School Chamber Choir was perfection itself as they told the story of David and Goliath, and no-one could deny that the Vocal Fellas showed true unity in their moving performance of ‘Fix You’.
‘You Raise Me Up’, performed by Vocal Bellas, brought many a tear for our wonderfully warm audience who seemed to enjoy the wide and varied programme.
Chorum fought against the odds of being down by two members to give a moving and poignant performance of ‘Home to You’.
The evening finished with every single student performing ‘Down by the Riverside’; the words, “I’m going to lay down my sword and shield” fitting words for such challenging times.
No one could deny the evening was one of musical celebration and fantastic performances and this was shown in a full standing ovation for the students – high praise indeed.
Mr Ray Travasso commented on the evening, and so we summarise in the words of one of our parents, “What an amazing concert!!! Thank you so much for putting on such a beautiful evening at St Marys Church yesterday. Your passion, enthusiasm and connection with the students was so lovely to witness. The repertoire was incredible and provided a meaningful response to everything that is going on in our world right now. It takes hard work, commitment, patience and years to get the students to the point at which they arrived last night. Thank you.”
The Pro Corda Chamber Music Festival, a national festival which exclusively promotes and celebrates chamber music within schools, took place this week and Woodbridge fielded four teams from across year groups.
The Glam Quartet – Iris (Y12), Asmee (Y12), Oliver (Y11) and Jasmine (Y11).
Brass Attack – Margot (Y8), Lara (Y7), Alice (Y9), Noah (Y9) and on drums – Joe (Y8).
Tono Trio – Lily (Y8), Lyrah (Y8) and Alex (Y8)
Burkitt Trio – Georgia (Y9), Will (Y9) and Oscar (Y8)
Set in a recital room and the beautiful barn, which were not only an acoustic treat but visually very impressive, each of the groups performed really well. Adjudicator, Mr Quatermaine, provided each team and student with valuable feedback, giving our young musicians lots to think about and consider. It was a truly affirming experience for all who took part, congratulations to all of them, we look forward to hearing if any of our teams have been invited to the semi-finals.
Listen to a snippet from the Glam Quartet here.
There has been a hive of activity in our Music department at School recently, from Lunchtime Live to a trip to Aldeburgh to enjoy the delights of the De Beauvoir Trio. We’re also looking ahead to the National Pro Corda Chamber Music Festival which is taking place next week on 8 February. Director of Music Emma Kent reports for us here:
Lunchtime Live
This week saw our third Lunchtime Live performance of the academic year, and what a delight it was! With 19 separate pieces played by a variety of students playing at different levels on different instruments such as violin, piano, double bass and trumpet, our virtual audience were treated to a number of pieces from the James Bond theme tune to more traditional Mozart an Verdi. Students performing as part of Lunchtime Live have the opportunity to experience live performing, which is an important part of learning and playing any instrument. We were extremely proud of all those who took part – well done everyone!
De Beauvoir Trio
Last Friday, 28 January, 11 music scholars and GCSE musicians had the opportunity to travel to and experience what can only be described as a jaw dropping performance and example of immaculate culture from De Beauvoir Trio at Aldeburgh’s Jubilee Hall. The trio comprises young, upcoming musicians, sponsored by Britain Arts, our Next Generation artists. It truly was a masterclass in performance and we felt extremely lucky to have experienced it. The bus journey back from the event was buzzing, our violinist particularly discussing the different bow techniques use and demonstrated to perfection!
Pro Corda Chamber Music Festival
Next week on Tuesday 8 February, four groups from School will be competing in the National Pro Croda Chamber Music Festival being held at Leiston Abbey. Our four groups include:
- Glam Quartet (string quartet): Year 12’s Iris and Asmee and Year 11’s Oliver and Jasmine
- Brass Attack: Year 7’s Lara, Year 8’s Margot and Joe (on drums) along with Year 9’s Alice and Noah
- Tono piano trio (violin, cello and piano): Year 8’s Lily, Lyra and Alex
- Burkett piano trio (violin, cello and piano): Year 9’s Georgia and Will, and Year 8’s Oscar
We wish them well and look forward to them possibly going through to the semi-finals!