Written by Iphigenie, Year 12
The annual Sheldonian Concert is the highlight of our musical calendar.
Year 10 – 13 musicians (and advanced Year 7 – 9s) had been rehearsing diligently for this since January. The special element of this concert is to showcase Year 13 music scholars, who each perform a concerto movement of their choice.
Concert Band opened, playing music from How to Train Your Dragon and a medley from La La Land. These were very entertaining and set a lively atmosphere for the acts to follow. The String Orchestra then brought the dreamy first movement of Suk’s – a Czech late-romantic composer – Serenade for Strings. R&B/jazz band Ad Funkem performed cool songs by James Brown and Amy Winehouse. I loved how the lead singer, Hannah P, introduced the band members at the start of their set. Her powerful voice was accompanied by groovy brass, drums and more.
The second half started with Senior Chamber Choir’s rendition of two contrasting pieces sharing the theme of ‘wind’. The first was Soave Sia II Vento from Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tufte. In rehearsal, I enjoyed learning about the opera and where this trio fits in. Tanya accompanied on the piano – her playing perfectly embodied the ‘sweet winds’. Senior Chamber Choir sang Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind by contemporary Canadian composer Sarah Quartel. These words are Shakespeare, and I enjoyed how different this ‘bitter’ wind was from Mozart’s. Senior Choir sang Les Sirenes by 20th century composer Lili Boulanger. For this, we got into the mysterious characters of the Sirens of Greek mythology. Senior Choir also sang the upbeat jazz song Lullaby of Birdland. A Sixth Form Trio comprising Hannah R, Isabel and I sang Lift Thine Eyes from Mendelssohn’s Elijah. We loved singing one-per-part and performing from the theatre’s balcony.
The highlight of the evening was hearing the Year 13s performing stunning concertos. Alice, accompanied by String Orchestra, showed her impressive technical skill with an emotive performance of Vivaldi’s Winter. Hannah R sang Mozart’s Laudate Dominum with atmospheric strings/choir accompaniment and Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera. Both were breathtaking and showcased her effortless high notes. Bella charmed the audience with her focused and beautiful presentation of Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A major (mvt 1 ). Naomi’s rendering of Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor (mvt 1) was dramatic and extremely charismatic.
Finally, after an introduction on the Brahms vs Wagner debate from Dr Foster, Senior Orchestra closed with Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture. It was a grand ending. Personally, I loved playing the bass drum fortissimo in the last section!
It was a huge privilege to perform in such an historic and beautiful theatre as the Sheldonian. Especially in 2023, the 300th anniversary of its architect Christopher Wren’s death. On behalf of all the musicians, I would like to thank Dr Foster, Miss Bastin, Mr Hay and all the staff who have made this possible. A special mention goes to Ms Brooks, who is leaving at the end of this term, and all she does for the Music Department.
Sheldonian Concert – Programme
The famous Sheldonian Theatre echoed the beautiful sounds of classical and modern music, as our students confidently performed for staff, parents and friends. The event line up included numerous ensembles and soloists:
- Concert Band – How to train your dragon, John Powell & La La Land, Justin Hurwit
- String Orchestra – Serenade for strings 1st Movement, Josef Suk
- String Orchestra (soloist Alice D, violin) – Winter, from The Four Seasons, 1st movement, Antonio Vivaldi
- Senior Choir (soloist Hannah Rowe, soprano) – Laudate dominum, W.A. Mozart
- Vocal Trio – Lift thine eyes, Felix Mendelssohn
- Senior Choir – Les sirènes, Lili Boulanger & Lullaby of birdland, George Shearing
- Ad Funkem – Intro/People get and drive your funky soul, James Brown, Stronger than me, Amy Winehouse & Cold Sweat, James Brown
- Senior Chamber Choir – Soave sia il vento, from Cosi fan tutte & W.A. Mozart, Blow, blow thou winter wind, Sarah Quartel
- Hannah Rowe – Think of me, Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Senior Orchestra (soloist Bella M) – Piano concerto No.23 in A major, K.488, 1st movement, W.A. Mozart
- Senior Orchestra (soloist Naomi W, cello) – Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, 1st movement, Edward Elgar
- Senior Orchestra – Academic Festival overture, Johannes Brahms