Music

Autumn Term

“The only thing better than singing is more

singing.” Ella Fitzgerald We took this to heart as the Covid restrictions were eased and we lifted our voices in song like there was no tomorrow! We sang hymns in church, we sang songs from Oliver! we sang centuries-old folksongs from other countries, we sang rounds, we sang in parts, we sang solos, we sang to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week and we finished the term by singing carols - admittedly outside! Our four choirs sang their hearts out in their weekly practices, we held a vocal concert, we sang at the Gift Fair, in Prayers and in our music lessons. Singing is at the heart of everything here, not just in the music curriculum, or even the music department but the whole school and like anything, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and we have never appreciated this natural human activity so much! Another consequence of the pandemic was the formation of smaller ensembles; thus we enjoyed hearing the Cello group, String Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, Wind Band and Piano Trio, thus providing specialist coaching for the budding musicians. These groups performed at various events, including in the chilly early morning on the Front steps to welcome in the festive Christmas season. Other musical events of note included an Orchestral Day at Wellington, a series of year group Informal Concerts, and some successful music exams. Good musicians need to be determined, resourceful and adaptable, and whilst some of the calendar items had to be shelved, the business of music carried on. As always, we ended the term on a high note (literally) singing descants to favourite carols outside in the rain-drenched Rose Garden! Let us see what the New Year brings! MPW

Results of Music Exams

Autumn Term 2022

Associated Board Oliver Anderson Clarinet Grade 5 Merit Toby Bi Oboe Grade 3 Merit Sebastian Black Trombone Grade 2 Merit Eddie Law Piano Grade 1 Distinction Koichi Sakamoto Drums Grade 2 Merit Joshua Sameke Piano Initial Grade Merit

The music at Elstree this term demonstrated the power this art form has in uniting people; carrying them upwards, out of themselves and to a higher plane. The level of excellence achieved in some of the performances was extraordinary, particularly when you consider the age of the pupils, and each event was made more special after a Covid-induced absence.

The term began with the Performing Arts Soirée. This annual event was originally devised as a means of enabling music scholars to give their pieces an airing immediately prior to their senior school auditions. It has since evolved to include drama and emerging talent from younger years. We were treated to high-level performances from pupils as young as 10 years old, as well as from experienced Year 8s. Five drama scholars and five musicians presented a programme of poetry, monologues, violin, piano and recorder items. In the quiet stillness of the Long Room, with its beautiful acoustic, there was not a single audience member who was not touched in some way to the depths of their heart by the words or music. “The sounds and atmosphere they created by their haunting playing won me over” wrote an audience member, and we all felt lucky indeed to be surrounded by pupils who have chosen to develop their God-given gifts. In the middle of the term we were delighted once again to host our annual Candlelit Concert in St Peter’s. This is a magical evening of favourite Chapel Choir anthems, readings, solo piano performances and congregational hymns. The singing from the packed church provided a welcome and cathartic release of a very human almost primeval right to sing as part of a company to help celebrate the joys of simply being alive, and - as the Headmaster mentioned at the end of this emotional evening - for this brief hour, we felt that all the troubles of the world could be taken care of, as we were transported to a higher plane, and what a joy it was. The end of term saw the first Spring Concert since restrictions were lifted and gave the newly reformed groups a chance to perform, as well as some of the higher level soloists in the school. The importance of playing in a musical ensemble cannot be overestimated; children of different ages, levels and experience get to know each other and understand how to work together in a rehearsal. This is where all professional musicians started, and the social and performing skills pupils learn are invaluable, especially after having been starved of opportunities over the last two years. Music can play an extremely important role in developing teamwork and it was uplifting to see so many pupils engaged in this event. In between these large-scale concerts was a series of Informal Concerts for each year group, each one wellsubscribed, and it was a pleasure to welcome back a live audience. I feel this was a term we have waited for so long - one where we could share without the restriction the joy of live-music making! MPW

Results of Music Exams

Lent Term 2022

Associated Board Toby Bi Piano Grade 7 Merit Charles Chen Piano Grade 6 Pass Gabriel Islam Trombone Grade 4 Merit Aki Akinola Cello Grade 3 Pass Nicky Xu Flute Grade 3 Pass Hamish Fawcett Singing Grade 2 Distinction Jack Li Violin Grade 2 Pass Mide Sonuga Cello Grade 2 Merit Harry Clothier Trumpet Grade 1 Merit Wilf Foulds Piano Grade 1 Pass Sat Li Piano Grade 1 Merit Sophie Payne Piano Grade 1 Pass Valentina Ridley-Day Piano Grade 1 Pass Sophie Singh Violin Grade 1 Merit

The Music Department leapt straight into action two days into the summer term with the concert for Grandparents’ Morning, featuring the Year 5 and 6 Choir, The Chapel Choir and the Vocal Harmony Group. All three went down very well with the large audience in the McMullen Hall.

This was swiftly followed by the House Music Festival – and what a fabulous one it was this year. This event has evolved over the years and 2022’s was definitely the best!

I say “Festival” – in all honesty it is a House competition, distinctive in that every single member of the House performs together – pupils, staff and gappers. Whilst obviously enjoyment of music and teamwork are key, there was a healthy edge of fighting spirit in the performances – and that was just amongst the staff! This was Elstree at its best- as one staff member commented, it had just the perfect mix of “talent, fun, teamwork and great sportsmanship”. The buzz created was something I have never witnessed before.

Alex Tester, Director of Music at St Edward’s was our visiting adjudicator and explained clearly at the start what he was looking for: well-drilled performances where everyone was engaged, and of course answering positively to the question - “Am I enjoying this?” The first round was the soloists: three pianists and a violinist competed for the cup and James Morris Weston is to be commended for his beautiful performance, which Mr Tester said truly took us on that all important musical journey.

The second round was the ensembles and what a varied mix we had - a sea shanty, some Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and, the winner – Imagine Dragon’s Enemy from East House, complete with a most impressively delivered rap from our Head Boy. I can’t wait for his Sports Day speech! It was great to see not only a wide range of styles and instruments but also some pupils who we have not heard singing before. Everything was delivered with confidence to the “tough crowd” as Kitty called them!

And so finally to the whole House songs, this year complete with props, banners, masks, coloured shirts, facial decorations, an all-enveloping lion headdress, shades and choreography! We really got into the spirit, and congratulations to West for winning with a song from The Lion King.

Mr Tester kept us waiting until the very end for the results and South were declared the overall champions (How apt that We are the Champions was their chosen House song!)

Although our speaker towers may not have been as high as Glastonbury’s or Reading’s, or our quota of fans in the high thousands – we certainly raised Elstree’s roof, had immense fun and proved the enduring power of music to bind and heal.

The Informal Concert series throughout the term was again well subscribed and the wonderful and large array of assured performances makes us realise that the musical future looks rosy as we see these young performers making their way up through the school.

After the Junior Choir’s performance at Spring Concert, the Chair of the Woodley Choral Festival warmly encouraged the pupils to enter a competition - so we did! Twelve Year 4 pupils headed off on a sunny Tuesday afternoon to the Prep Schools Choral Competition at Heathfield School Ascot. After the six choirs had sung their choice of two songs each, we listened to two of Heathfield’s own choirs before the judges gave their adjudication. The comments were positive and encouraging and each choir felt proud as they headed off to a substantial tea! The standard of singing was most impressive and there was a wonderful variety of genres represented, so we came away feeling inspired and full of ideas for our repertoire. This was one of our first musical trips to take place postcovid and reminded us of the value and importance of sharing the gift of music - well done to the pupils who took part. There is nothing so inspirational as seeing others your own age play and we were so privileged and delighted to welcome the Sedlak Virtuosi – a Czech family string quartet. After a masterclass to four of our top string players we were treated to the most stunning recital in aid of the Charlie Waller Trust. The programme included a delightful mix of duets, trios and quartets and was utter magic! This was swiftly followed by two further masterclasses – one for woodwind, and one for cello. We were very privileged to have received a visit from the world-renowned Ferio saxophone quartet – and what an amazing sound a quartet of saxophonists playing with such brilliance and verve makes!

Their first piece included tiny excerpts from what seemed like hundreds of well-known classical tunes, a bit like a very fast-paced aural guessing game as you quickly tried to identify them before the next one came along. This dazzling display of their talents and ensemble work was followed by a demonstration by each individual member - the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone, followed by a piece where each size got the tune in turn. A question-and-answer session was followed by a short masterclass with Nicky and Charles on flute, and Oliver on the clarinet; some useful tips were gleaned pertinent to all instrumentalists. Matt Lowe, Director of Music at Bradfield spent an hour one Tuesday morning with some of our cellists, coaching each one of them on a different aspect of technique. “Quintessentially English” is how we would describe the wonderful Chapel Choir evening concert at St Mary’s, Beech Hill just before half-term. The church looked stunning with its beautiful mosaics and scented flowers, the sun shone, there were drinks and canapés and – most importantly of all – the choir was in fine voice. The choristers concentrated hard and gave a superb and polished performance. The choir is arguably at its best in the summer term having worked together as a team all year. They have become familiar with the repertoire and the combination of anthems, reading, congregational hymns and organ solos made for the most perfect evening. As a Prep School, one of our priorities is to equip the pupils with skills for senior school and beyond, including one of the most precious of all – the ability to enjoy making music with others. As one parent commented afterwards, “His days at Elstree really have cemented something magical”. I hope every chorister went away from the evening with a spring in their step knowing they are firmly on the path of their special musical journey. The summer term is always packed, and the Platinum Jubilee celebration, a Chapel Choir trip over the fields to a local hostelry for a well-deserved burger and chips, a recital on Sports Day and a full day of Associated Board exams helped round off the term.

The ever-popular Summer Concert was held in the Marquee, preceded by “Salon Music” in the Long Room. This event gave all the groups one last chance to perform before the end of the year, and provided some memorable musical highlights, beginning with the Orchestra’s polished rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean, and ending with the evocative and rousing singing of the Year 5 and 6 Choir, with As long as I have music, and Sing! Viva la musica!

MPW

Results of Music Exams

Summer Term 2022

Associated Board Florence Allison Piano Grade 3 Distinction Harry Clothier Singing Grade 3 Distinction Sat Li Cello Grade 3 Pass Sophie Payne Singing Grade 3 Merit Hamish Fawcett Violin Grade 2 Merit Edward Law Piano Grade 2 Merit Henry Allison Piano Grade 1 Merit Jacob Gearing Singing Grade 1 Distinction Ethan Lockhart Saxophone Grade 1 Pass Iris Yao Bassoon Grade 1 Merit Kweji Sameke Piano Initial Distinction Gabriella Ajani Piano Prep Test Hugo Kayser-Booth Piano Prep Test