Summer music-making
The summer months have been typically busy in the music department, bringing to an end another phenomenal year of performances. Director of Music, Dr Collisson, reports back.
“Shortly before half term our Sixth Form Music Scholars gave a lovely evening recital with music covering the three hundred or so years from Bach to Messiaen. Our Friday lunchtime concert series continued with many of our younger Scholars taking to the stage and entertaining audiences beautifully. Our summer chamber music concert took place in June, showcasing our recorder, guitar and string ensembles; the following week our Junior and Senior School Wind Bands got together for a Wind, Brass and Percussion mini-extravaganza performed to a packed audience. Hot on the heels came our two summer concerts: the Senior School finale of the year (and our 47th Senior School event this year) then the Junior School the following day. Both concerts were rip-roaring successes with fabulous performances from everyone – and the Juniors finished just in time to catch England v Colombia in the World Cup: two memorable events in one evening!
Other exciting happenings since half term include the auditions and call-backs for ‘Into the Woods’, our Senior Production for next academic year. Another highlight has been the Grade 1 challenge, in which our Sixth Form girls teach their academic teachers a musical instrument from scratch and prepare them for ABRSM grade 1. This is a tremendous opportunity for girls to be a pupil-mentor for a teacher-beginner and to see what it is like to teach someone for a year and understand all the skills that are needed to be an effective teacher. Several teacher-beginners have progressed so quickly, thanks to their pupil-mentors, that they even attempted higher grades. No results for this year as yet, but watch this space!
In closing for the summer, we bid a sad and fond farewell to Mr Sebastian Wybrew, who has taught the piano, accompanied innumerable recitals and concerts, and coached hundreds of Music Scholars in his 9 years at South Hampstead. He is a professional pianist of the highest calibre, often performing at the Wigmore Hall, and we wish him well as he continues to pursue his playing career. My thanks go to all the staff who teach in the department who truly inspire the girls – and to all the girls who enjoy music-making at school; you all contribute so much to the school’s culture and well-being. I, and the rest of my department, would like to wish you all a warm, happy, and peaceful summer break.”