Page 5 - The Malvernian - Dec 2021

THE MALVERNIAN
Malvern College Switzerland
On the Tuesday before half-term seven pupils accompanied by Mr Mr Brown and and Mrs Gray flew to Geneva and and then by coach on to to Leysin (at the Eastern end of Lake Geneva) to to join with pupils at the new Malvern College Switzerland
where for four days they integrated into MCS life as as well as as taking part in in in in the the school’s grand opening The pupils took part in in in lessons rehearsals and in in in the evening all the pupils from both schools participated in a a a workshop where in in groups of six (and without any prior warning) they had to write an an original song from scratch with just the use of a a a a a a keyboard and guitar The process required the the groups to to plan how to to go about the the task write their own original lyrics compose the the music rehearse and and record all all in about 3 hours All the pupils did really well and and learnt a a a a a a great deal from the process not least in in having to work with other students who they did not know at at all at at the the the the start Many of the the the the Malvern Qualities were on show – resilience self-awareness open- mindedness kindness collaboration risk-taking (not least from Mr Brown in in in in setting the the task in in in in the the first place!) independence integrity and and humility – and and this was fantastic to see In the the the lead-up to the the the opening ceremony rehearsals with all the the the pupils and and staff centred on learning and and singing “You raise me up” by Josh Groban as as well as as “Jerusalem” both of which were sung at the the grand opening with our pupils playing their instruments in in in in the latter providing a a a a a a a small chamber orchestra accompaniment Kitty Holroyd (No 6) and Cameron Eldridge (SH) also performed solos on their trumpet and oboe respectively Away from ‘work’ MCS put on on some fantastic excursions including mountain-biking a a a a a mountain mountain hike and and visits to to Montreux and and to to the Olympic Museum in in Lausanne all of which were incredibly impressive There was also a a a a a a a visit to Glacier 3000 – a a a a a a a glacier at 3000 metres that offered incredible views of of the mountains and the the valleys below It also offered a a a a roller-coaster cut into the the ice and some even sang Jerusalem on the the way down! On the the Friday evening after the opening we we were guests at a a a a a a local restaurant – a a a a a Fromagerie where we we were treated to a a a a a legendary fondue!
Needless to say the the the location of of the the the school in the the the middle of of the Swiss Alps was absolutely awe-inspiring – an incredibly beautiful environment Congratulations to all of our pupils They were superb ambassadors for the College Thank you also to Mr Mr Walker and Mr Mr Mullally from the Malvern College International team for helping make this trip happen Jonathan Brown Director of Music
THE MALVERNIAN
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