Page 31 - Herioter 2020

Malachy Harris (Greyfriars) Michelle Blaikie (Lauriston) Atharva Patwardhan (Castle) Esmé Frith (Raeburn)
from the school’s new online homework Raeburn concluded the night. They upbeat to mellow sections, all pulled off
platform – Firefly – Castle chose the were represented by Esmé Frith, Tom with a cheeky sense of swagger.
song Fireflies by Owl City as their choral Macleod, Callum Murison and Medha Marije Zwart followed with her rendition
piece. Castle’s choir managed to turn Sridhar Rao. Both Raeburn’s choir and of Allegretto grazioso by Johannes
the iconic pop anthem into a beautifully instrumental ensemble pieces were Brahms. Marije was graceful and played
soft and harmonious piece. On the arranged by Callum Murison and Tom with great elegance. Esmé Frith pulled
other hand, Castle’s ensemble was Macleod respectively. Callum arranged out all the stops for Raeburn’s vocal solo.
really swinging as they performed Irving The Queen-tessential Medley, a mix She chose to sing No One Else by Dave
Berlin’s Puttin on the Ritz. With a punchy of some of Queen’s greatest hits. The Malloy from the musical Natasha, Pierre
brass section, rich woodwind and a fine bold move to take on the challenge & the Great Comet of 1812. Esmé’s
set off percussionists, Castle definitely of combining multiple songs for one song choice played to her advantage
put on a performance that would be rendition was certainly worth it as as she managed to blow the audience
hard to beat. John Mander stood out away with not only her outstanding vocal
on his French Horn in the ensemble ability but her sense of character and
and this is probably why Castle put him being able to tell a story through the
forward as one of their instrumental song.
soloists. John played Hunter’s Moon by The adjudicator, Mr Sandy Chenery,
Gilbert Vinter – a warming and wistfully Director of Music at Erskine Stewart’s
inspiring piece. John mastered not only Melville Schools, had the unenviable
the rhythmic complexities of the piece, task of selecting the winners of each
but he also pulled off ‘hand stopping’, category, deciding on the winners as
a French Horn technique that can take follows:
years to finesse which John certainly John Mander – Howarth Cup for best
did. Castle’s second instrumental soloist Lauriston Choir instrumental solo
did also not disappoint. Pete Gill played Raeburn’s choir sang with great precision Malachy Harris – Scott Cup for
Mazurka in A flat Major, Op.59, No.2 and gusto. Tom chose to arrange Don’t competitive singing
by Chopin on piano. Chopin was said You (Forget About Me) by Keith Forsey Puttin’ on the Ritz – Castle -
to have, ‘exceptional talent’ and be a and Steve Schiff (Simple Minds). The Cullen-Ryall Baton for the best
‘musical genius’, words that could be Raeburn ensemble did the original song instrumental ensemble
assigned to Pete’s performance on justice as they displayed the breadth of
the night. Last but not least, Anthony skilled musicians in their house with a Fireflies – Castle – Rimer Family Trophy
Roberts sang Now Sleeps the Crimson slick performance. Andrew Wilson was for the choral item
Petal by Roger Quilter, for Castle’s vocal Raeburn’s first instrumental soloist and The William MacCulloch Trophy
solo. Anthony left the audience wanting gave a rendition of The Acrobat by JA for the House competition was awarded
more as he displayed the control, passion Greenwood on trombone. Andrew’s to Castle.
and splendour he has with his voice. performance was filled with a range of William Ringham (S6)

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