A remarkable term of music - the sound of Summer!
It has been a remarkable term of music, one filled with energy, collaboration and performance at every level of the school.
Beyond the classroom
The term began with the younger members of our orchestra make the journey along the coast to Lancing College for their annual Orchestra Day. Joining with musicians from other local prep schools for a day of workshops and rehearsals, the day culminated in a short concert in the College's magnificent chapel (the largest school chapel in the world!) This is always an inspiring occasion for our musicians, who enjoy meeting like-minded peers and working together to produce a performance.
Shopwyke Singers
The Shopwyke Singers, our school's adult choral society, joined with members of our Chapel Choir later on in the term for a special concert featuring Carl Orff's magnificent Carmina Burana. This concert marked the end of our Director of Music, Alex Dichmont's tenure as the choir's conductor after having founded the choir in 1994! It also featured our Assistant Director of Music, Mr Allum, as piano soloist in Constant Lambert's Rio Grande. Mr Allum will take over as conductor of the Shopwyke Singers in September.
First performance steps
At the beginning of June, our youngest musicians in Year 2 took to the stage playing pieces they have been learning on their recorders, and other instruments. It was a wonderful showcase of the musicians who are at the beginning of their musical journey.
Rock 'n Pop
The ever-popular Rock and Pop gig took place in the Honor Uloth Room and brought a different kind of energy. The audience enjoyed our Rock Band's performance plus several other soloists, accompanied by teachers Mr Soothill and Mr Berkley, strutted their stuff. This informal evening is always a firm favourite of the term!
Teamwork, courage and outstanding performances
The Inter-Patrol Music Competition showcased the depth and diversity of musical talent across the school.
All pupils who learn an instrument, both inside and outside of school, played or sang a piece to a small friendly audience and earn points for their patrol, resulting in 209 performances in one day!
It was wonderful to see and hear music being performed so well in venues across the school throughout the day, culminating in the much-anticipated Open Class. This was an outstanding display of musicianship from those musicians who were playing at Grade VI standard or above.
The overall winner, and our Westbourne Musician of the Year, was Year 6 pupil Jiheon with a sparkling performance of a Haydn Violin Concerto movement. Congratulations to him and to everyone who took part!
A huge thank you to our adjudicators for the day: Alex Goodwin (Director of Music, Portsmouth Grammar), Andrew Thomas (Assistant Director of Music (Cranleigh), Rich Carter (Chichester Music Academy) and our own Julie Twite (flute teacher).
Fitting finale
In the final weeks of term, our Year 8 pupils turned their focus from exams to their final Westbourne House production of Mary Poppins. During an intense two-week rehearsal period, our Year 8 pupils learnt choreographed dance routines, lines, songs and perfected their stage-craft, culminating in a wonderful, joyous, toe-tapping performance. Congratulations to all involved.
Meanwhile, the School Concert is always a highlight of the musical year and this year was no exception. Soloists from Year 3 upward, combined with all of our ensembles for a wonderful evening of music. The orchestra opened the concert with How to train your dragon, whilst the Swing Band had everyone swaying with C-Jam Blues and Tequila. The Junior Brass Group played the theme from Blackadder and Year 7 showed everyone what they had accomplished in their music lessons with a performance of the Stop/Start March. Our Year 8 music scholars joined together for a performance of the Quantz Trio Sonata, whilst the Junior Choir rounded off the first half with three songs from Yanamamo. The Chapel Choir, who also led the music at the Leavers' Service so beautifully, sang four songs: Mambo Italiano, The Goslings, He ain't heavy and Rhythm of Life.
And so another musical year comes to a close. We are fortunate indeed to have such a wonderful group of peripatetic teachers who work tirelessly with their pupils to strive for the highest possible standards and, together with our in-house team, ensure that music continues to be a focal point of school life.
