School Section Third year pupil Josef Bokedal, accompanied by Ms Cromar, then performed what is possibly the most famous piece for cello, ‘The Swan’ by Saint-Saens. The Jazz Band then got feet tapping with their rendition of Hawaii Five-O. The Percussion Group, directed by Miss Graham, performed an arrangement of the upbeat ‘Get Lucky’ by Daft Punk before the senior choir sang ‘Human’ arranged by Mac Huff. The second half opened with the String Orchestra, conducted by Ms Cromar performing ‘Ashokan Farewell’ and ‘Viola Hero’. The latter piece offered the Orchestra’s two advanced Year 6 viola players, Annabel Lunney and Oisin Lyons the chance to take centre stage. This was followed by the Show Choir singing Bacharach’s ‘I Say a Little Prayer’. The Brass Ensemble performed the well-known ‘Colonel Bogey’ followed by Grieg’s menacing ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’. Oisin Lyons then performed ‘La Chapelle de Guillaume Tell’ by Liszt on the School’s impressive Bosendorf piano to great effect. The concert closed with the cast and band of the Face the Music group performing ‘Under Pressure’ which gave the audience a flavour of the upcoming School show ‘We Will Rock You’. As the audience dispersed much favourable comment was heard about the astonishing range of musical talent in the School.
School Concert Band The Concert Band has had a busy and productive 2019 to date. In addition to the Band’s regular performance in the Performing Arts Faculty Concert in March, a Wind Ensemble of band members participated in the Final of the Scottish Concert Band Festival in Perth Concert Hall and were successful in gaining a Gold Award. In the summer term the full band participated in the Aberdeen & N.E Scotland Music Festival, gaining an Outstanding Performance Award and winning the 18 & Under Concert Band class. From within the group two brass quintets and a trumpet trio also participated in the Festival. The Byron Brass Quintet and Trumpet Trio gained Outstanding Performance Awards winning both the 18 & Under Brass Ensemble and 15 & Under Duets & Trios Classes. Individual band members have been busy sitting Grade Exams in the Summer term. A total of 23 brass and woodwind players from within the Band sat performance exams ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 8. All passed successfully with many achieving Distinction and Merit. Following their participation in both School Prize-givings the Band completed the term by giving a concert with the aim of raising funds towards the purchase of new percussion equipment. Also taking part were the Brass Ensembles from Ashley Road & Mile End Primary Schools, both of whom had recently gained Outstanding Performance Awards at the Music Festival. A sum of £880 was raised on what was a thoroughly enjoyable and successful evening. As we move into the new school year the band continues to go from strength to strength with no fewer than 53 band members in place to begin rehearsing next term. The Band’s next major festival performance will be the Scottish Concert Band Regional Festival. This year this performance will be at the RSNO Centre in Glasgow on the weekend of 30th November - 1st December. The opportunity to perform at this venue
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