Highlight of the Week

Lent Term Concert

Our traditional Lent Term Choral and Orchestral Concert took place in Llandaff Cathedral at the end of March. The event, featuring 180 pupils, was a splendid celebration of our considerable musical achievements, highlighting some of our largest and most impressive ensembles and choirs. Senior Orchestra, with over 75 pupils, took to the stage first – a most impressive sight to behold. Following the entrance of a light-sabre wielding Mandalorian, the orchestra performed a robust symphonic arrangement of the cult theme tune, The Mandalorian (Ludwig Göransson). This was followed by a skilful performance of Mozart’s, The Marriage of Figaro Overture. Vivacious semiquaver energy and tightly coordinated hammer-stroke chords underpinned a brilliantly convincing rendition of this Classical operatic masterpiece, showcasing just how strong CSL Senior Orchestra has become in recent years.

The 16 strong Senior Flute Choir was in fine form indeed, skilfully playing a delightful arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers, expertly supported by Music Scholar harpist, Bethan C, under the assured direction of Mrs Jones.

Brass Ensemble (dir. Mr. James) followed with The Great Escape and Brass Pop, demonstrating the fruits of well-disciplined rehearsals. Playing was direct and punchy, with confident tone, dynamics and careful attention to rhythm, the players working in close-knit harmony.

Cello Ensemble soothed the ear with a beautiful yet impassioned arrangement of Coldplay’s Fix You, featuring a wide range of cello playing techniques and textures; our young cellists demonstrated rich sonority, excellent intonation, and considerable ensemble empathy throughout.

Sinfonia (Year 7-9 Orchestra) proceeded to deliver excellent performances of Shake if Off Taylor Swift and Lincolnshire Posy Percy Grainger. Both pieces showed off the youthful exuberance of our players who completely rose to the challenge, demonstrating considerable aplomb and joyfulness in their playing.

Cathedral Strings rendered two, very contrasted works: Fantasia on a theme of Greensleeves (Vaughan Williams) and Plink, Plank, Plunk (Leroy Anderson). The Vaughan Williams was expertly rendered, delighting in the various nuances of Vaughan Williams’ masterpiece. In stark contrast, Plink, Plank, Plunk saw the players down their bows entirely, in a gloriously comical presentation of pizzicato technique and quasi-guitar strumming – redolent of a Disney cartoon!

Following our incredible orchestras and ensembles, Chapel Choir impressed the audience in its assured delivery of two masterpieces of the British Cathedral repertory – I Was Glad (Hubert Parry), and Let the People Praise Thee, O God (William Matthias). Both anthems are highly demanding from a vocal perspective; Chapel Choir rose to the challenge superbly, giving an authentic, vibrant, and impressive account of each, clearly evidencing the vocal prowess of our pupil singers.

Rounding off the concert was our Senior Chamber Choir, featuring over 80 singers. The choir gave generously in Thankful, relishing the bold harmonies, warm vocal textures, and sweetly emotive nature of the melodic lines. To follow, they gave a powerful and uplifting account of George Dyson’s Three Songs of Courage, affording so much opportunity for lyricism, polyphonic complexity and resounding, life-affirming descants. The mood was unreservedly ebullient, bringing the concert to a triumphant and joyous conclusion – arguably one of our most enjoyable and overwhelmingly impressive Senior concerts to date. Enormous appreciation and congratulations go to all those involved.