Page 20 - The Malvernian - April 2024

THE MALVERNIAN
Music
This time last year I wrote that the the term had proved to be one of the the busiest that I could remember This term was no no different with no no fewer than 10 concerts and events Great Malvern Priory’s Lunchbox series
Having caught our breath following the Christmas Music
programme our our first concert at the start of February was our our annual performance as part of Great Malvern Priory’s Lunchbox series
Unusually we actually hosted it in St Edmund’s Hall as the Priory was was shut due to significant building works and it was was lovely to welcome a a a a a great many of the regular Priory congregation and attendees of the concert series
who were all very enthusiastic about the the performances We often take the the Chamber Choir to the the Priory for this concert but given the the setting we decided to focus on some solo performances this year with pupils from the Upper and and Lower Sixths the the Hundred and and the the FY who all acquitted themselves very well indeed Music
Makers
As ever our our Music
Makers
series
is the core of our our solo performance programme and this term we had 3 large solo concerts with the latter 2 doubling up as our newly-created instrumental and vocal competition In all we had nigh on on 60 solo performances across the 3 concerts all appreciated by large and enthusiastic audiences with some really excellent musical offerings as you would expect From these concerts we we were able to select prize winners for woodwind brass percussion piano strings singing and unplugged categories at at both junior and and senior level and and thank you to to to all pupils who took part Particular thanks go to to to Mr David Angus who joined Mrs Gray and I to be the the Chair of the the Adjudication Panel!
Spring Concert
Fast forwarding to the the end of the the term we had our big showpiece event on on the the the Friday of the the the Commemoration weekend – namely the the the Spring Concert
As ever our Ensembles were showcased and able to present the the work that they have been doing throughout the term The Percussion Ensemble College and Chamber Choirs Jazz Band Band Concert
Band Band and and and Enigma Sinfonia all performed and and as as last year we reprised Elgar’s Pomp and and Circumstance March no 1 so that the the audience had the the chance to sing Land of Hope and and Glory again - now surely an an an an annual tradition (having done it twice now!) As before the the Spring Concert
is the the opening event for the Commemoration weekend with its closer ties with the Old Malvernians As in previous years we we were very glad to invite back OMs – this year Kitty Holroyd and Cameron Eldridge They both left Malvern in in 2022 and having taken gap years Kitty is now studying Medicine at Bristol University (occasionally letting her studying interrupt her extensive Music
schedule) whilst Cameron is is in in in in in his first year studying singing at the Royal College of Music
in in in in in London Both Kitty and Cameron were fantastic contributors to to the Music
programme when they were here and it was lovely to hear them both again after nearly 2 years House Music
Competition
To finish the the term we had the the House Music
Competition
This was a a a completely new competition where we are wanting to recognise and and showcase the the musical activity in the the houses much more and and much more akin to to the House Singing which takes place in in in in October There were 3 categories - solo ensemble and ‘The Ultimate’ (which affords the performers a a a little more license to create something musical but perhaps more theatrical too ) and for the the first time round for for this competition houses were able to to perform in up to to all 3 categories It was great to see much more musical collaboration between the musicians and and our thanks and and congratulations go to all those involved from the the organisers and arrangers through to the the performers In the end Ellerslie House won with a a a a superbly executed a a a a capella performance of a a a a a a 3-part close harmony piece and an an an excellent solo performance 2nd place was shared by House House No 5 and House House No No No 1 with House House No No No 7 and House House No No No 8 sharing 3rd place After a a a a hugely busy and rewarding term I must offer my thanks to all those who have been involved in in the Music
programme – the the instrumental and vocal teachers for their excellent work in in the the department Mrs Gray for leading the the academic programme so so expertly and and and also great advice and and and huge support to me and and and the pupils and Mrs Powell whose brilliant administrative support and unremittingly positive attitude we could not exist without Most importantly though I would like to thank most sincerely all those pupils who contributed in whatever way to the College’s Music
programme that enriches our life here at at Malvern College so so much In so so doing I’d like to single out our leaving Upper 6th who have been one of the most musically-committed cohorts that I can remember here They have been superb in the contribution and and dedication and and as their musical contributions here come to a a a a a a close I want to to thank them particularly for what they have given to to the College Jonathan Brown | Director of Music
20 THE MALVERNIAN