b'OXFORD TOWN HALL MUSIC DEPARTMENTEvgeny Kissin and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, 21st September 2023Not long after our return to school from the summer break, we brought all of our GCSE students and some of our pianists from KS3 to Oxford to hear the magnificent Evgeny Kissin in concert in the town hall. Mindful that some of our boys had never been to Oxford before, we decided to turn this trip into an opportunity to walk around the city and visit the Ashmolean Museum where there is a particularly fine collection of instruments.The evening concert commenced with an item by John Rutter who introduced the work himself. The remainder of the programme comprised some of the great compositions from the Russian repertoire, including Prokofievs Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 25, Classical, Rachmaninovs Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30, and Shostakovichs Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47. Evgeny Kissin was fantastic, and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra was beautifully conducted by Marios Papadopoulos. It was a real privilege to attend the concert and to do so with such fantastic students.WINTER CONCERT St Marys Church, Handsworth, 30th November 2023 String Quartet, Staff Choir, Guitar Ensemble, String We returned to our local parish church for our wonderfulEnsemble, Brass Ensemble and School Choir.Winter Concert. Its a huge undertaking to get ourWe were fortunate to hear solo items from Daniel A. equipment and students to the venue, then rehearse them(saxophone), Prakul R. (classical guitar), Max R. (trumpet), before delivering an evening concert. Nevertheless, withArjun B. (violin), Amitoj S. (piano), James R. (cornet), Ajay the support of the boys and a huge number of our fantasticP. (drum kit), Kaelen v. V. (cello), Hardev M. (piano), Abel S. school staff we did it! (violin), Kaden H-G. (classical guitar), Ziona P. (flute), Daniel Earle (euphonium), Asher J. (piano), Arjun S. (classical The concert opened with the school orchestra performingguitar) and Nicholas B. (violin). The concert included the three items: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Pompfirst drum kit solo from one of our boys. Ajay P. gave a and Circumstance (Themes from Marches 1 & 4) andfantastic performance of Rosanna by David Paich receiving Merry Christmas Everybody. This diverse repertoire washuge applause after he played. The evening concluded subsequently reflected in the other items performed thatwith our boys and audience members singing Jingle Bells/evening. Over the course of the 100-minute concert, weHoliday Blessing together. For me, as for many others at enjoyed music from Beauty and the Beast, the films Elfthe concert, it was a wonderful way to mark the beginning and Lord of the Rings, as well as pieces by more traditionalof the festive season. For those interested in reliving the composers such as Grieg, Liszt, Purcell and Schumann.concert, and others who perhaps never got to see it, the The packed church heard from all of the large ensembles:concert can be viewed in the News section of the school Lower School and Upper School Woodwind Ensembles,website.CBSO ConcertBirmingham Symphony Hall, Year 7, 8th January 2024The music department arranged a visit to Birminghamuntil this year. Despite the rainy weather, the students Symphony Hall to attend the KS3 CBSO Concertenjoyed hearing pieces from the classical repertoire, on Thursday 8th January 2024. This was a fantasticsuch as Ravels Bolero, to more modern favourites such opportunity for students to experience the world- as Harrys Wondrous World by John Williams, from Harry famous City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at anPotter and the Philosophers Stone. This performance internationally acclaimed concert hall. Year 7 students,was the perfect culmination of our spring area of study for many years, have enjoyed this opportunity toaround instrument families of the modern orchestra and experience a live symphony orchestra, but unfortunatelyorchestral music. We look forward to hopefully many since 2020 and the repercussion of lockdowns due tomore opportunities to attend concerts in and around the Covid-19 pandemic, the trip hasnt taken place againBirmingham covering a range of styles and ensembles.60'