autumn concert 11-06

It was a varied programme full of quality music that greeted the audience at the Autumn Term concert given by musicians at Arnold School. Over sixty pupils took part with five solo performances and nine ensembles providing a range of music spanning the years. Pieces by Verdi, Weber and Massenet were skilfully intermingled with music by Sweeny, Chilcott and Dorsey, each one played in a style to suit the genre.

The two outstanding soloists were Pui Yan Lam and Callum Au. Pui Yan showed why she has just been awarded a scholarship to the Birmingham Conservatoire when she sat down at the piano, without music, and gave a stunning performance of Schubert’s Impromptu in G flat major op.90. Skill of this quality is rare indeed.

Callum, performed in a similar vein when he played his own arrangement of ‘Getting Sentimental Over You’. His ability to tease syrup smooth sounds and subtle dexterity out of his trombone make you realise why he is playing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

The largest ensembles of the evening both gave memorable performances. The Girls Choir performed ‘A Little Jazz Mass’ which suitably showed their ability to sing in a controlled way with the lilting sounds of the Sanctus through to the dramatic finale of the Agnus Dei.

With the Swing Band, Head of Music Julian Ross has a very high quality group of players who continue to improve. He appears to be increasing the difficulty of its repertoire which the players seem to relish. A lovely performance of ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square’ showed the control that these young players could achieve, in contrast to ‘Caravan’ which provided them with a rhythmical challenge not for the faint hearted. A wonderful evening of musical entertainment to be proud of.

Posted by: P R Oliver
Date: Friday 1/12/2006