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By Doug McIlwraith, Director of Music
Bedales musicians have had another very productive and creative term and it has been wonderful to welcome so many new students into our ensembles and projects. Beginning in September with an all-inclusive Open Mic Night and Whole School Concert, we then had excellent solo concerts given by our Music Scholars and Exhibitioners and a punchy production of the musical Rent! with a stylish vocal ensemble led by an on-stage band entirely comprised of student musicians. Another exciting and creative Band Night followed which gives us a flavour of what to expect in next term’s Rock Show.
The St Cecilia Concert is a main musical focus of the Autumn term and this year’s event was a wonderful occasion which included concerto performances by two Sixth Form students accompanied by an orchestra of invited professionals. Elliot opened the concert with a thrilling performance of Serge Koussevitsky’s 'Concerto in E Minor for Double Bass' which demonstrated his virtuosic skills on this instrument not always recognised for its soloistic potential. It was great to see and hear Elliot at the front of the orchestra and playing with such precision and musicality. Lolo followed with the sublime slow movement of Maurice Ravel’s 'Piano Concerto in G' with its fabulous limpid quality and subtle rhythmic shifts. Lolo projected the lyrical melodies over the orchestra and captured the mood of the piece quite brilliantly. Congratulations to both of our concerto performers for such consummate performances which delighted the audience.
The concert continued with Mozart’s 'Laudate Dominum' for soloist and choir. The soprano soloist was provided on this occasion by a trio of singers: Wynnie, Lily and Megan, who dazzled with the tricky coloratura passages and high soaring notes floating over orchestra and choir. Harry Boulton, Assistant Director of Music, then led the choir and orchestra in music by Haydn, Phillip Stopford, John Adams and Stravinsky and our Bedales upper voice choir (more catchy name to follow!) gave their stunning debut with arrangements of folksongs led by Amy Tribe.
Our fabulous jazz band then finished the evening off with another set of well-polished numbers and a little something for Christmas. Huge thanks to Simon Whittaker for leading the jazz band to such success over the last 18 months and to all of our musicians for their commitment and hard work this term.
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