Activities
Music
Workshop for string players and pianists
At the end of January we were fortunate enough to be joined for the day by Stowe School’s Daniel Bhattacarya (Head of Strings) and Jeremy Young (piano teacher and
Daniel’s duet partner). Daniel and Jeremy held a one day music workshop enjoyed by no fewer than twenty two of the school’s musicians from Years 4, 5 and 6. The day’s training sessions concluded with a Concert in The Barn given for parents by all the children that attended.
The quality of performances by both small groups and also the whole ensemble belied the short time available for them to prepare. Daniel and Jeremy were also good enough to close the afternoon by giving their own performance of The Romanian Folk Dances by Bela Bartok, a duet for violin and piano.
For the audience and the children the performance was captivating, and for all the musicians, inspirational. As part of an ongoing reciprocal partnership with Stowe School we are looking forward to being able to repeat this hugely successful and enjoyable day in the near future. Particular thanks are due to Daniel and Jeremy and also to John Ridgway and Joanna Havelock for organising the day.
An Evening of Words and Music: Year 5
As most of you know by now, this year LAMDA exams have been introduced to all year groups in the Upper School. This term it was the turn of Year 5. They have been preparing for an examination in ‘The Speaking of Prose and Verse’. The exam requires that they learn from memory two poems, or one poem and one piece of verse and recite them as fluently and as clearly as possible. The purpose of the exam is to encourage good speaking practice and to teach the children the importance of expression and emphasis when speaking for effect.
The aim of the evening was to give the children the chance to perform one of their pieces before an audience in preparation for the exam. For many, it was the first time they had stood up by themselves and spoken in front of such a large audience. To give the evening some variety, music was provided by some of the children. There were moments when the room seemed full of atmosphere as the performers switched seamlessly between words and music.
John Ridgway and I are very proud of them and it became clear as the evening went on that there is a variety of potential talents emerging from within the year group.
Flute and Brass Tea Concert
It was a joy to see so many budding flautists and brass players perform at the recent tea concert held in the intimate atmosphere of the Music Room.
A less formal environment helps younger, inexperienced musicians to give of their best and this was certainly true here. We were treated to assured, musical items from senior pupils and promising performances from more junior musicians.
Tea and cake was the order of the day after the concert and provided an excellent opportunity for parents to talk to the music staff.
At the end of January we were fortunate enough to be joined for the day by Stowe School’s Daniel Bhattacarya (Head of Strings) and Jeremy Young (piano teacher and
Daniel’s duet partner). Daniel and Jeremy held a one day music workshop enjoyed by no fewer than twenty two of the school’s musicians from Years 4, 5 and 6. The day’s training sessions concluded with a Concert in The Barn given for parents by all the children that attended. The quality of performances by both small groups and also the whole ensemble belied the short time available for them to prepare. Daniel and Jeremy were also good enough to close the afternoon by giving their own performance of The Romanian Folk Dances by Bela Bartok, a duet for violin and piano.
For the audience and the children the performance was captivating, and for all the musicians, inspirational. As part of an ongoing reciprocal partnership with Stowe School we are looking forward to being able to repeat this hugely successful and enjoyable day in the near future. Particular thanks are due to Daniel and Jeremy and also to John Ridgway and Joanna Havelock for organising the day.
An Evening of Words and Music: Year 5
As most of you know by now, this year LAMDA exams have been introduced to all year groups in the Upper School. This term it was the turn of Year 5. They have been preparing for an examination in ‘The Speaking of Prose and Verse’. The exam requires that they learn from memory two poems, or one poem and one piece of verse and recite them as fluently and as clearly as possible. The purpose of the exam is to encourage good speaking practice and to teach the children the importance of expression and emphasis when speaking for effect.
The aim of the evening was to give the children the chance to perform one of their pieces before an audience in preparation for the exam. For many, it was the first time they had stood up by themselves and spoken in front of such a large audience. To give the evening some variety, music was provided by some of the children. There were moments when the room seemed full of atmosphere as the performers switched seamlessly between words and music.
John Ridgway and I are very proud of them and it became clear as the evening went on that there is a variety of potential talents emerging from within the year group.
RC-M
Flute and Brass Tea Concert
It was a joy to see so many budding flautists and brass players perform at the recent tea concert held in the intimate atmosphere of the Music Room.
A less formal environment helps younger, inexperienced musicians to give of their best and this was certainly true here. We were treated to assured, musical items from senior pupils and promising performances from more junior musicians.
Tea and cake was the order of the day after the concert and provided an excellent opportunity for parents to talk to the music staff.
A brochure with information about Music at St Hugh's is available to download here
Carswell Manor
Faringdon
Oxfordshire
SN7 8PT
(01367) 870700