Music Department
Events
The school calendar includes many musical events, with regular concerts taking place throughout the academic year. The annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols is a regular highlight, as is the annual Music Competition, in which the entries total nearly 200.
The musical calendar also includes occasional special events. Recently, the most notable of these included a masterclass with the internationally acclaimed pianist Ian Brown followed by a recital he gave with his recital partner, the violinist Min-Jin Kym, in December 2007.
The regular annual musical calendar is roughly as follows:
October – Music Scholars’ Concert (Lecture Theatre)
November – Senior Concert (Richards Hall)
This concert includes contributions from all the large school ensembles.
– Young Soloists’ Concert (Lecture Theatre)
This concert is for performers up to LV (Year 10) who might benefit from solo performing experience, especially examination candidates.
December – Service of Nine Lessons & Carols (Richards Hall)
This large-scale event takes place at the end of term. Some carols are sung by the congregation with orchestral accompaniment, while others are performed by the Choir, accompanied by orchestra or piano. It is traditional for some carols to be sung solely by members of several year groups, including girls from the Junior School.
Spring Term
March – Concert / Production (Richards Hall)
Either a large-scale concert or a production takes place towards the end of term. Musical productions involve a large cast from throughout the school.
Summer Term
May – Leavers’ Concert (Richards Hall or Lecture Theatre)
Any girl who will be leaving the school at the end of UVI is invited to consult the Music staff about the possibility of playing a concerto movement at this concert. The organisation of this concert is the responsibility of the Music Captains (members of Upper VI).
June / July – Music Competition (Richards Hall)
Any girl in UIII (Year 7) – LV (Year 10) may enter any of the solo classes (piano, strings, woodwind, brass and voice). There is also a chamber ensemble class.
– Tour concert (Richards Hall / Sixth Form quadrangle / external venue)
The ensemble taking part in the tour gives a performance of their full tour programme several days beforehand or afterwards. The concert takes place in one of various venues, depending on the group and its repertoire.
