Music Department News: September October 2017 Solo Performances Thanks go to the following musicians who performed at school assemblies and jaw. They have entertained and enriched the pupils and staff of the school and are to be commended for their efforts: Shanise Liang Piano I got rhythm Gershwin Michael Rice Trumpet Concerto in E Flat Neruda Cassius Kay Voice O del mio dolce ador Gluck Ellie Evans Cello Andante Klengel Imo Mayhook-Walker Voice and Piano Under my skin Original Song Richie Sweet Marimba Black and White Rag Botsford Annabel Bailey & Isabella Doyle Vocal duet Panis Angelicus Franck Safia Kazim Voice Summertime Gershwin Jamie Bland Baritone Horn Pavane Ravel Isabelle Kennedy Voice Se tu m ami Pergolesi Lila Levingston & Minna Hall Voice and Guitar Malibu Miley Cyrus Tiger Braun-White & Felix Howard Vocal and two guitars Echo Beach Martha and the Muffins Oliver Meredith Clarinet Extract from Clarinet Concerto in A Major Mozart Ellie Evans Cello Fantasiestück Schumman Thanks also go to the following for their short concert on open day and the first music to be performed in the renovated Lupton Hall: Claude Barker Piano Adagio from Sonata in C Minor Schubert Chilli Chilton Voice and Guitar No Shame Original Song Jamie Bland Baritone Horn Pavane Ravel Isabelle Kennedy Voice Se tu mami Pergolesi
We would like to recognise the accomplishments and commitments of our musicians beyond the school. Congratulations go to Oliver Meredith (6.2) for gaining a place with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) Big Band playing bass guitar and to Kai MacRae (Block 4) for gaining a place to play drums with the (NYJO) Jazz Ensemble. They are exceptionally fine musicians who give so much to the school and we wish them well with their jazz adventures! We would also like to congratulate Tiger Braun-White (Block 3) and Jake Lacey (Block 4) for gaining places (respectively) at the Junior Academy - Royal Academy of Music and at Junior Trinity - Trinity College of Music. They both attend classes and get extra tuition on the cello on Saturday mornings which is a significant boost to their music studies. We congratulate them both for gaining places at such a young age and thank them for their excellent contribution to music at Bedales. Merry Evening Thursday 14 September saw the first big musical event of the year with Merry Evening, a night of original songs, pop covers, classical music and original poetry in the Quad. A wide range of great performances from budding Rock Stars in Block 3 to a turn by the new Director of Music no less (!). Badley Festival Sunday 24 September saw the 3rd annual Badley Community Festival, the focus of which was an amazing 6 hours of music performed by a huge number of our incredibly talented students. Huge Motown set pieces including Dancing in the Street performed by Chilli Chilton with full backing band and brass section were balanced with solo singer-songwriters including new students Isabella Montero and Imo Mayhook-Walker. There were incredible Jazz songs performed by Danna MacRae and Finn Davidson and exquisite solo classical performances given by the likes of Ellie Evans and Michael Rice. The highlight of the afternoon was a Bedales Rock Show Revisited section that saw some of the most popular songs from recent Rock Shows refreshed by among others Safi Kazim and Millie Bolton. A never to be forgotten African Drumming session led by the amazing Kristian Bediaako and some songwriter s showcases brought to a close a memorable day had by all.
Music Scholar Concert On Wednesday 11 October, the Lupton Hall held its first performance since the recent renovations. Music scholars from Block 3 to the 6.1 gave exceptional performances to a very supportive audience of friends, teachers and parents. We were reminded of what a lovely space the Lupton Hall is to perform in and how the acoustic is very rewarding for performers and audience alike. The music scholars provided a wide variety of music from music by Caccini who was instrumental in the birth of opera in the early 1600 s to music by Bernstein and Rogers and Hammerstein. It is very encouraging to hear such confidence in our young performers so early in the academic year, especially those pupils new to the school and the Block 3 pupils. They all deserve praise and the full programme is copied below.
A music exhibitioner concert will take place after the half term to give those students a chance to perform solo works and the 6.2 musicians will perform more substantial solo repertoire later in the academic year. We would very much like to invite all members of the Bedales community to these events, particularly parents of the performers, so please do check the school calendar for updates as these new events take shape. Our sincere thanks to all who attended and supported the performers who did themselves proud; A wonderful evening in a wonderful venue. Three School s Spooky String Symposium On Thursday 12 October over 60 pupils from Dunannie, Dunhurst and Bedales gathered for a morning of string music led by Ben Harlan. The beginners in Dunannie were thrilled to get a chance to play alongside the many advanced pupils from Bedales and the music for the day had a distinct spooky Holloween theme! Ben taught the youngsters various spooky string effects including how to use glissando and col legno (using the wood of the bow) to create eerie effects. The theme from Ghostbusters segued into extracts from Schubert s Death and the Maiden and the players also sang.. It was great to gather the combined talents of all three schools and to give the younger players a chance to work with the older pupils and also to enjoy the recently refurbished Lupton Hall. A huge thanks go to Ben Harlan for organising and leading such an inspirational day and for making it scarily enjoyable!
Songwriter s Showcase Assembly On the evening of Monday 16 October the seventh Annual Songwriters Showcase Assembly took place and it certainly was a lucky seven for the audience who were treated to sensational original songs by 6th Form stars Chilli Chilton, Finn Davidson, Olly Meredith and Abi Morris, newcomers Imo Mayhook-Walker and Isabella Montero along with great songwriting debuts from Tash Hawley (duetting with Danna McRae) and Safi Kazim. All were ably assisted by their Bands including drummers Bart Hill-Reid and Kai MacRae, guitarist Minna Hall and fantastic keys men Michael Rice and Head Boy James Grout Smith. A wonderful performance of creative ingenuity by all involved. Doug McIlwraith - Director of Music Neil Hornsby - Head of Contemporary Music
Music Scholar Concert Wednesday 11 October 7.30pm Lupton Hall Adagio and Allegro from Viola Concerto in G Telemann Maisy Redmayne (6.1) Viola Amarilli, mia bella Caccini Mabel Watson (Block 3) Voice Salut d amour Elgar Lila Levingston (Block 3) Violin Caballero Jon Merle Monty Bland (Block 3) Double Bass Misty Burke/Garner Tobias Bonham- Carter (Block 3) Trumpet Il Jen-Michel Blais Annabelle Snell (Block 3) Piano Sonata in C Telemann Madeleine Upton (Block 4) - Recorder On wings of Song Mendelssohn Jamie Bland (Block 5) Trombone If I loved you from Carousel Rodgers and Hammerstein Safia Kazim (Block 5) Voice Adagio from Sonata in C Minor Schubert Claude Barker (Block 4) Piano Rondo for Lifey Bernstein Jack Waddington (Block 4) Trumpet Danza, danza, fanciulla gentile Durante Annabelle Bailey (Block 5) Voice O del mio dolce ador Gluck Cassius Kay (6.1) Voice Finale from Sonata No 1 in B Flat Mendelssohn Tiger Braun-White (Block 3) Cello