4 minute read
MUSIC
Despite all the virtual and recorded opportunities provided during Covid, we recognised that, for students, the skills that hadn’t been rehearsed for a couple of years were the ability to manage the nerves of live performance, and enjoy the overwhelming feeling of success post performance.
For two of our Scholars, Lily W of Year 8 and Felicity W of Year 11, Prize Giving provided solo violin performances to both Prep and Senior parents. All three Houses prepared brilliant musical items for The House Arts. Pupils also choreographed and lead the Prep House Choir rehearsals. Everyone performed with great energy and musicality. As Christmas approached, we prepared for Christingle, The Prep Nativity and our Carol Service. Rev’d McVean led our first al fresco Carol Service on the lawn with the Orchestra. The whole School learnt and sang Silent Night with sign language, led by Isabella M and Lily L in Year 5. The service finished with the addition of snow machines for “A Christmas Blessing” by Philip Stopford which was sung by Parent, Staff, Senior and Prep Choirs. After many weeks of rehearsals, the Senior Production of Annie finally arrived and we were thrilled to welcome Mr Pratt to join us as guest Musical Director with Mrs Harman due to go on maternity leave. In February our Year 9 band competed in the new Battle of the Bands competition at Prior’s Field School. The pupils had rehearsed under the direction of Mr Lucas as well as running their own rehearsals at break times to prepare their three song set. Kat V (guitar and vocals, Beth S (guitar and vocals), Natasha W (drums), Jess H (bass) and Olivia G (keys) demonstrated great teamwork and determination in the run up to the competition and, despite coming second to the host School, were highly commended by the judges with a special award being given to Beth S as the best band member across all the bands. The Judges commented ‘They had the best image as a whole, really looked united as a band. The singer who won the award was a real stand out of the whole event, she was fantastic. Her voice was really great and quite unusual and unique, and her guitar playing was really great too. I felt they made fantastic song choices as a band. You really got a clear idea of their sound. Their 3rd song was brilliant and the vocal harmonies were a real highlight for me.’ ‘These girls came a very close second and it was such a tough decision. We all felt like they were very talented musicians; particularly the two singer/guitarists who also had a great connection on stage. I loved the diversity and the fact that they swapped instruments - it added interest. They were the only band who used harmonies and that really made the performance stand out. You know it is an engaging performance when you don’t take any notes!’ We reintroduced our lunchtime recitals in All Saints’ Church, where parents, staff and students enjoyed hearing a variety of solos, duets and chamber ensembles perform. For some students it was their first live performance at Manor House School and for others it was their last. We welcome Mr Allen for the Summer Term. MRS HARMAN, HEAD OF MUSIC MR ALLEN, ACTING HEAD OF MUSIC
Our annual Rock Concert, normally in June, took place just before October Half Term and we were delighted to be able to welcome a live audience into the Elizabeth Green Hall to celebrate the talents of so many students across the Prep and Senior Departments. With the addition of fantastic lighting and sound from DS Lighting, the audience were treated to a wonderful and exciting evening with performances from soloists from Year 4 to 11, Senior Choir, Prep Choir, Senior Vocal Ensemble, Prep Vocal Ensemble, Orchestra, Year 11 Music students and bands from Year 8, 9 and 10. With the expert tuition and direction of our instrumental staff, the students performed a brilliant programme from artists such as The Cat Empire, Griff, Adele, Lewis Capaldi and Stevie Nicks. As usual, the evening finished with a tribute to a well-known artist and this year Dolly Parton was that artist. Students from Years 4 to 10 sang short excerpts of her back catalogue expertly accompanied by our staff band. Our particular thanks go to Mr Lucas our guitar teacher for his work with the bands, our singing teachers Mrs Baillie and Mrs Turner for their work with the Vocal Groups and Mr Wills, drums, and Mr Cox, bass, who again played in our staff band. #CreativeandCollaborative
