Page 20 - The Malvernian - December 2022

THE MALVERNIAN
Music
No sooner had they recovered after their exertions in House Singing and other events in in in the the first half of term our musicians were immediately up and running again on our return after half-term On Armistice Day three of of our trumpeters were out of of College playing the the Last Post and Reveille – for for the the Defford Airfield Heritage Group The The The Elms School and for The The The Downs Malvern They all acquitted themselves excellently of course Then that evening the Chamber Choir along with three soloists sang a a a a concert in the beautiful church of St Mary Ripple with an hour’s programme of Music
suitable for Remembrance There was some really lovely music-making and the audience was very appreciative The following week we we had our second Music
Makers of the term where our our fourteen soloists performed extremely well in front of a large and enthusiastic audience There were some really excellent and and enjoyable performances with music from Bach to Coldplay and and with a a a a a diverse range of of styles - we even had a a a a a piece of of Vietnamese folk music played on on a a a a a a traditional zither – a a a a a a first for Malvern!
Our attention then turned to preparation for the the Christmas musical festivities – always a a a a a busy time for our our musicians with four musical occasions in quick succession We had two carol services – one for for pupils and and staff and and the second for for parents Old Malvernians and and guests – and and those attending were treated to some beautiful music in in the most atmospheric of settings The Chapel and Chamber Choirs sang a a a a a a variety of carols with both projection and great sensitivity whilst the Brass Ensemble’s committed playing of the the congregational carols with Mr Phillips at at the the organ really put us all in the Christmas mood The last Sunday of term saw the the Christmas Concert With the the Chapel Choir rested for this it featured the the rest rest of the the main Music
ensembles - Percussion Ensemble Chamber Choir Jazz Band Chamber Orchestra Enigma Sinfonia and and Concert Band as well as House House Three reprising their House House Singing-winning performance and the Brass Ensemble playing carols as as our concert-goers arrived and the the finale saw the the audience singing O Come all ye Faithful accompanied by all of our instrumental musicians The Concert was was excellent and and was was a a a a a a a showcase to both the talent and and hard work of our ensemble musicians Then on the the final evening of term we had a a a new event – the the Christmas Celebration This was something new not dissimilar to the Christmas Unplugged we have had in previous years but because it was held in the the Chapel we we were able to have the the whole College there to enjoy the the many performances given by pupils and HouseMs as as as well as as as taking part in in in in singing some Christmas songs all together The Unplugged programme has always been very much pupil-led and this concert was was certainly that - - it was was enormous fun and hugely enjoyed by all Thank you in particular to to the the Chapel Prefects and and QiQi Saw for putting it all together and and also to Mr McDade for all all the tech support he he gave It was a a a a a a a really great event and well done to all involved It only goes for me to to say a a a a a big thank you and very well done to to all the the pupils who have been involved musically throughout the the term A very happy and and peaceful Christmas to you all and and we look forward to another busy musical term in the the New Year Jonathan Brown | Director of Music
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THE MALVERNIAN