With the Autumn Concert marking the first major concert of the academic year and simultaneously the first under our new Director of Music, Mr John Mountford. John speaks on the evening
“On a drizzly November evening, a large and eager audience awaited the first ensemble concert of the year. The Symphony Orchestra began with a striking set including works by Florence Price and Leonard Bernstein, contrasted with Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate, featuring Evie, who leapt up from leading the 2nd violins to sing the soprano solo with great flair. The Chamber Orchestra followed, directed by Emily Holland, with the beautiful Sinfonietta by Genzmer, in which the group showed off a beautiful variety of sonorities.
After the interval, Mr. Foster took to the podium to conduct the Concert Band, who presented three movements of Tomlinson’s Suite of English Folk Dances, followed by Albert Reed’s Ballade for Solo Alto Saxophone played with skill and feeling by George, accompanied by Cason Kang on the piano. The Big Band ended the night with five toe-tapping numbers, including solos from Eddie, Otto, Prince and Jason. We were delighted to welcome back OO Archie Foster (trombone) on loan to us from the Royal College of Music; Lauren Taylor OO (cello) and to welcome our new Teacher of Music Gill Henshaw (clarinet) for her first concert at Oakham.
As Director of Music, it was wonderful to experience my first Oakham School concert in the chapel with some really energetic and poised performances. Congratulations to all of the pupils on a fantastic evening of music making.”
