On Tuesday 22nd March, there was a buzz of excitement and anticipation in the air as our students, parents and staff congregated to enjoy our Senior Concert. Set in the beautiful historic setting of the Sheldonian Theatre, the concert brought together numerous ensembles from Years 10-13 for an evening of musical delight.
To kick off the event, the audience was treated to two movements from Gustav Holst’s First Suite for Military Band by our Concert Band, before hearing our String Orchestra perform Biber’s La Battalia – a piece which uses stringed instruments to tell the story of a battle, with the comedy and caricature of the early movements turning serious in the last movement as a lament for the fallen. We also enjoyed two performances from our Senior Choir of pieces by female composers from across the Atlantic, the contemporary Canadian composer Sarah Quartel and the American romantic Amy Beach. Senior Chamber Choir opened the second half with Holst’s beautiful setting of the Ave Maria for eight-part choir, and Senior Orchestra played folk-influenced music by the English composer George Butterworth and the Norwegian Edvard Grieg.
As per OHS tradition, our Year 13 music scholars were given a feature spot in their final Sheldonian Concert. This year we heard a Vivaldi Bassoon Concerto performed by Eleanor, Fauré’s Romance for Violin and Orchestra played by Lizzie, and a performance of a composition for choir by Susannah. These three students have all made huge contributions to our musical life and we wish them well in their future endeavours.
Following the concert, we spoke to a couple of our Year 13 scholars to find out what taking part in their last Sheldonian Concert meant to them.
From Susannah:
I absolutely loved taking part in the Sheldonian concert. Everyone was so excited that we were able to perform in the beautiful and historic venue after a long 3 years. I was fortunate enough to have a piece I composed performed in the concert, and it meant so much to hear the music come to life in the breathtaking acoustic of the Sheldonian. All the Year 13s were sad about it being our last concert, but we felt so grateful that it was able to go ahead. We’ll have the memories (and many photos), forever!
From Eleanor:
Having been a music scholar since Year 7, it seems a long time since my first concert at OHS. The Sheldonian is a magnificent setting for any musician and we are fortunate here at OHS to have access to such a wonderful venue. Looking back over the years, what I have treasured above all is the close friendships that have evolved among the music scholars who have always supported each other and made orchestral playing what it should be – a great collaboration. I was also delighted that a second bassoonist joined this year! My personal thanks must go to the various directors of music that I have worked with; Mr Spikes, Dr Foster and everyone in the music department, including its administrator, Ms Brooks. Many thanks also go Ms Bastin who is now heading strings and conducted my concerto.
From Lizzie:
It was wonderful to return to the beautiful Sheldonian Theatre, bringing students from all year groups together to make music. With pieces from Disney to a quirky baroque string ensemble to a breathtaking a Capella composition by Susannah (Year 13) the concert was really exciting. It was particularly special for all Year 13s involved to make music in the Sheldonian’s amazing acoustic for the last time before we leave OHS. We were so grateful for everyone’s support in creating such a remarkable event – to all the performers, the audience and, in particular, Dr Foster, Ms Bastin and Ms Brooks.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr Foster and his fantastic Music Department for organising this event, as well as to all of our wonderful performers for providing us with some truly magical escapism on a Tuesday evening!
