MUSIC

by Carl Miller

This year we were able to bring back a whole school production including students from Year 7 upwards. Our production was based on the brilliant novel by Eric Kastner during 1920s Berlin. It is a tale of adventure, following a young child from Neustadt as he chases a man named Mr Snow, who stole his money on the way to visit his Grandma in Berlin.

The show was a contemporary adaptation of Emil and the Detectives, using a mixture of physical theatre, abstract drama and comedy to tell a fast-paced story. The brilliant young performers made Dubai College history, being the first public play performance to be held in the new SPACE building after several Covid-19 restrictions. We were thrilled to finally get to perform, the students worked extremely hard and showed true resilience.

Mrs Jemma Stilwell Director of Drama

The Dubai College Drama Department would like to congratulate our former GCSE and A Level dramatist Izzy Snaas on her recent success in landing a part in the West End production of Disney’s Frozen the Musical. Izzy was an incredible drama student and performed in many of our college productions. We are enormously proud of her well deserved success!

Back in December, Key Stage 3 Drama Club produced their first ever Pantomime, The Not Another Panto Panto. The plot was a dramatic and hilarious jaunt through nearly all traditional pantomime plots featuring Snow White, Cinderella, Robinson Crusoe and the Big Bad Wolf but to name a few.

With performers from across all three year groups, this was a real student-led ensemble piece and showcased the impressive performance skills we have in the lower school here at Dubai College.

Mrs Faye Baldwin Teacher of Drama

As part of World Children’s Day on Saturday November 20th 2021, organised by UNICEF in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE Ministry of Community Development, Fatima in Year 9 played in the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra. Later on the same day Fatima also performed in ‘A Little Night of Music’ at the Knowledge Village Conference Centre, celebrating 41 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the United Arab Emirates. This joyous occasion was hosted by Dubai Media City, the Korean Consulate Dubai and the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra featuring Elli Choi (USA).

We were put in our spots, and we ran over it four times before we went inside. It was hard work as it was outside and still hot, even though it was late evening.

Singing as part of the Children’s choir at Expo2020 Opening Ceremony was a once in a lifetime experience. I have been singing since Year 3 and enjoy performing whenever I can. When I was asked to audition for Expo2020, I jumped at the chance. I received the news that I was selected to be part of the choir just after starting at Dubai College. It was difficult to balance all the rehearsals and my school work, but well worth putting in the extra effort. I counted down the days to when rehearsals were to start.

From the first rehearsal we were practising in the remarkable Al Wasl Dome – the World’s largest 360-degree projection dome. Being in that Dome and knowing I would be performing to Dubai’s leaders gave me the shivers. By the second rehearsal we were being measured for the costumes and practising choreography.

They also auditioned us once more, and I was chosen to be part of a small group that would record the chorus of the song – ‘This is Our Time’ - which would be used to amplify the choir’s singing during the Opening Ceremony. I got to attend a proper recording studio to record the track, which inspired me to keep on singing so I can record again in the future.

During the rehearsals they took pictures in groups depending on who you had met. I made sure to take pictures with all my new friends! At the first dress rehearsal we got to finally see our costumes – they were a beautiful white with shimmering rhinestones and some beautiful ballet shoes. We had our hair done and we danced and sang as we waited to go into the Dome. We saw the whole beginning of the ceremony, the amazing projections across the Al Wasl Dome, the lights, cameras, music, enormous speakers, drones that looked like butterflies and the tech team! Finally, the day had come, it was show day! We had all had our hair done and put on our costumes, we were ready to go on and sing our hearts out! I caught a glimpse of Ellie Goulding and she waved to me. We really felt like we were part of a big team. We lined up and started exiting backstage area and onto stage, I was really nervous as I had never done anything like this before! As I got into my spot, I made sure to put on a large smile and began to sing and do the choreography. It went by so quick by the time it was done I thought we had been out there for a few minutes when in fact we had been out there for half an hour.

As we got on the bus to go home, I felt proud and honoured that I had performed at an important event showcasing all Dubai has to offer to the world. The Expo2020 Opening Ceremony was a great experience and if I had the chance, I would do it all over again.

Niamh Dunne 7RMH

The House Music competition 2021 was the one of the best events I have ever had the pleasure of hosting at Dubai College in the past ten years. It never ceases to amaze me how talented, dedicated and hard-working our students are! The entire competition started in week three with 180 recorded performances in the Heats stage. 48 students were selected to perform in the semi-finals which were held over each lunchtime in week 7.

It was a huge pleasure indeed to see how lockdown and online learning has had such a positive impact on the amazing progress of our musicians! I could have easily selected far more than 17 students to perform in the Grand Final which took place on the evening of Wednesday October 13th. Three external adjudicators had the difficult task of choosing the winners of each category.

My thanks and congratulations go to everyone who took part and played with such professionalism and maturity. The standard has been the highest, yet and I am incredibly proud of all of you for taking the time to prepare and take part in this wonderful event within our community at DC.

There will be a video link to share with you in due course to share the highlights of this fantastic House event.

SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS: Rosemary Year 7 Rayan Year 12 Advay Year 12 JUNIOR WINNER: Kevin Year 8

INTERMEDIATES WINNER: Lavinia Year 11

SENIOR WINNER: Chiara Year 13

OVERALL WINNER: Xiaolin Year 12

WINNING ENSEMBLE: Heyerdahl House

WINNING HOUSE: Heyerdahl House

Ms Jennie Lee-Foster Director of Music

The cornerstone of the DC musical experience, the esteemed Senior Showcase made a long-awaited return after two years of performance restrictions.

The night offered a wide array of repertoire, ranging from choral pieces by Elder and Bernstein, to solo arias from oratorios by Bach. The evening was a well-deserved opportunity for Sixth Form music students, as well as senior ensembles, to display their musicianship and professionalism in a concert setting.

Sixth Form music students Chiara, Mariam and Cara took centre stage, performing solo repertoire, including Rutter’s ‘Suite Antique for Flute’, ‘Erbarme dich’ by Bach for Alto, and ‘Zerfliesse Mein Herze’ by Bach for Soprano, accompanied by the Senior String Orchestra.

The evening continued with ensemble performances with over a hundred musicians from Nothing but Treble, Senior Flute Ensemble, Senior Saxophone Quartet, Debussy Trio, Senior Guitars, Senior Vocal Trios, Piano Quartet and Senior Chamber Choir.

A massive thank you to the Music Department, who consistently dedicate their effort, expertise (and lunchtimes!) to provide rich musical opportunities that celebrate the talented musicians at Dubai College.

Mariam Siali 13BCH Chiara Federico 13ROD