Highlight of the Week

Lent Term Concert

Last Thursday, around 150 pupils took part in our Lent Term Choral and Orchestral Concert. Held in the beautiful space of Llandaff Cathedral, pupils demonstrated high standards of musical achievement throughout, delighting the audience with a highly varied and enjoyable programme of ensemble and choral items.

Senior Orchestra opened with a glorious medley of Duke Ellington themes, vividly recreating the nostalgic aesthetic of Big Band and Dixieland jazz idioms. Swung rhythms, vibrant syncopations and luxuriant jazz harmonies dominated, with plenty of opportunity for colourful solos and playful instrumental conversation. Not without its technical challenges, Senior Orchestra both impressed and entertained in no small measure.

Senior Flute Choir maintained the upbeat mood with a Another Day of Sun (from La La Land), demonstrating excellent rhythmic control, intonation and ensemble co-ordination, delivering some quite intricate instrumental textures with considerable bravura.

Continuing the established jazz theme, Brass Ensemble (directed by the indefatigable and ever-inspirational, Mr James), brought a smile to everyone’s faces with robust, punchy deliveries of Blues Band and Charleston, filled with catchy melodies and infectious rhythmic hooks.

String Quartet impressed with an assured and musically persuasive performance of a Medley of themes from Gladiator, demonstrating excellent ensemble interaction, technical confidence and strong musical communication.

After a substantial stage re-set, Sinfonia (Year 7-9 Orchestra) reignited the energy of the concert with Fanfare and Flourishes, an imposing and brightly affirmative mini-overture, including joyous echoes of Charpentier’s famous Te Deum march. Scintillating orchestral colours, vivacious rhythms and glittering percussion impressed throughout.

Concluding the first half, Cathedral Strings enjoyed a funky, modern-day reimagining of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony – A Fifth of Beethoven, combining upbeat, pop-style strings, drum-kit and electric guitar. A clever fusion of Beethoven’s original 4-note motif and contemporary riffs provided a refreshed perspective on this greatest of classics.

Chapel Choir commenced the second half with three short motets – Thou Knowest, Lord; A Prayer of St Richard of Chichester; and Locus iste. Impressing throughout with persuasive emotion, fine dynamic control, precise intonation, beauty of vocal tone and warm expression, Chapel Choir reasserted their reputation for high quality liturgical-style performance.

Finally, Senior Chamber Choir, once again numbering nearly 100 voices, took to the stage to perform three short pieces, with linking themes celebrating the beauty and value of Music in our lives, and the importance of togetherness. Schubert’s An die Musik, arranged in 4-part harmony, was followed by Sarah Quartel’s There Always Something Sings. To conclude, Will Todd’s Like a Rainbow Shining, featuring Soprano Saxophone, proved to be a particular highlight of the concert as a whole, and greatly enjoyed by the singers themselves.