Highlight of the Week

Senior Percussion Concert

A Covid-safe, capacity audience of 60, plus supporting pupils, enjoyed a glittering presentation from our percussion department last week.

The Cathedral School boasts a particularly impressive facility for percussionists, having maintained a sustained investment in musical instruments over many years, leading to what is now by far the best percussion resourcing in any South Wales school.

Pupils are given every opportunity to try their hand at the delights of percussion, whether it be drum kit, timpani, xylophone, marimba (including our coveted, Five-Octave marimba). Tutored by Mr Bradley and Mrs Porter – both highly respected and experienced professional musicians in their own right – The Cathedral School now supports a range of year-group specific percussion ensembles in the Senior Section, affording pupils the chance to cultivate advanced performance skills in playing as part of group, experiencing a wide range of percussion instruments, and cultivating strong friendships in the process.

Involving nearly 30 pupils, the concert presented each ensemble in turn. With repertoire having been in the process of rehearsal since September, each performance demonstrated excellent levels of technical precision, musical coordination and the confidence of a polished delivery. With the Drama Studio generously filled with a myriad of visually impressive percussion instruments, there was certainly much to delight the eye, in addition to the ear!

Ensembles included: Year 8 – Mambo No.5; Year 9 – Adelieland (from Happy Feet); Year 10 – Tico Tico, and Pirates of the Caribbean; and Year 11-13 – Clocks, and The Typewriter. The latter piece featured, perhaps as quasi concerto soloist, Arjan O on amplified Typewriter; just fabulous! In addition, audience members were treated to a cleanly executed virtuoso performance of Maple Leaf Rag, by Nathan C on Marimba.

Huge congratulations to all involved; a real triumph for CSL Percussion in general and a glorious opportunity for all the musicians involved. Mr Aspden