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Music Week 2007
After one evensong, five concerts, music in the Dining Room, music in the Quarter on five days and two drama productions Music Week 2007 came to a terrific conclusion On July 3rd with a Summer Serenade which, despite being moved indoors by the weather, was generally held to be one of the best yet. With music from the Beach Boys to Bizet, and Superman to Elgar, the Senior Orchestra and assembled choirs could almost be forgiven for thinking that it was out performed by the line of eighteen snare drums, bass drum and cymbals which began the second half of the programme. However, the traditional ‘Last Night’ numbers in which the five hundred strong audience joined the orchestra and choir were probably heard in Rickmansworth despite the indoor location. The splendid fireworks which greeted the audience as they moved into the Quad at the end of the concert were certainly seen from afar, and brought the week, and the school year to a brilliant and crackling conclusion. Thanks to all those who made the week possible, the caterers, the office and printing staff, the School Porter and his team, the lighting and sound men, the music staff and, above all, the boys, who played and sang, acted, rehearsed at inconvenient times, moved smartly from Exam Hall to Music School, ate mountains of strawberries on the last night, and came through it all smiling and seemingly with energy to spare. Thank you, and congratulations one and all. Here’s to Music Week 2008. Richard Hobson Summer Serenade XVII 2007Take 1 - Simon Couldridge for the staffThis year’s Summer Serenade took place inside the Great Hall (where the weather wouldn’t pose a threat to the proceedings). As ever, the programme was a varied mixture of vocal and instrumental music performed by orchestras, bands and choirs, that included the Theme from ‘Superman’ played by the Concert Band, Habanera from ‘Carmen’ with guest soprano Sarah Dacey singing with the Senior Orchestra, some Beach Boys songs, and much else besides.
The stunning performance by the Percussion Ensemble of Drum Line (written especially by Stephen Yalden for the group) featured 18 snare drums as well as other assorted percussion instruments, and could be heard from the other end of the school! The entire 3rd form sang songs from ‘Oliver!’, while the Chamber Orchestra offered a moment of tranquillity with an expressive performance of Sentimental Sarabande from Britten’s Simple Symphony, and featuring Jeremy Samuel playing the solo cello part. Several jazz numbers were performed by the Dixieland and Swing Bands.
The evening, which began with Taylors’ Brass playing two Marches, came to an end in grand style with the audience invited to join in singing Rule Britannia along with the combined Parent’s and School Choirs, and accompanied by the Senior Orchestra, before the fireworks display brought the whole evening, and music week, to a close. It’s only twelve months until the next one… Simon Couldridge Take 2 - Deborah Whalley for the parents and supportersThe start of the Summer Serenade XVII did not augur well – rain and, more rain - so no chance of having the long-awaited and well-planned event outdoors. Nevertheless, not to be put off, the finale of Music Week 2007 (along with the strawberries and cream) were moved indoors and a supportive audience of family and friends packed the Great Hall to be entertained by the musical talents of the boys, staff and parents – past and present. The entire musical community was represented - Taylors’ Brass, the Concert Band, the Junior Strings, the Swing Band, the Chamber Orchestra, the Wind Band, the Percussion Ensemble, the Dixieland Band, the Vocal Ensemble, the Third Forms Choir, the School Choir, the Senior Orchestra, plus, by special arrangement, The Serenade Trio, The Beach Babes, Merchant Taylors’ own boy band and The Barbie Dolls - yes, Merchant Taylors’ own 'girl band'!! We were treated to a veritable musical feast in a range of music from classical to theatre musicals; film music to jazz; precision percussion to opera. And all this put together by our dedicated Music Department - Richard Hobson, Joan Stubbs and Simon Couldridge, supported by Duncan Saunderson, Steven Byron, John Francis, John Coleman, Geoffrey Boyd and Stephen Yalden - plus a guest performance from soprano Sarah Dacey as Carmen. The interval entertainment was the serving of hundreds of bowls of strawberries and cream in the Undercroft. Thus fortified, the finale of the evening was led by The Serenade Singers, the School Choir and the Senior Orchestra led by Jonathan Ho and conducted by Joan Stubbs and Richard Hobson. The nostalgic strains of Bob Chilcott’s arrangement of “Londonderry Air” contrasted well with the upbeat rendition of “Everything’s coming up roses” (it’s all that rain!). Then the audience joined in with “Land of Hope and Glory!” and the performance of “Habanera” and “March of the Toreadors” from Bizet’s “Carmen” had the entire orchestra and choir hopefully transferring us to warmer climes. The whole evening came to a mighty crescendo with “Rule Britannia!” with soloists Chrishan Raja, Jonathan Ho and Ciaran Singh, and a spectacular fireworks display in the Inner Quad. Many thanks for a superb culmination to Music Week 2007. Thanks to everyone who helped to put this amazing event together at the end of another busy academic year: the Music Department staff; Angela Bamping for administration; Valerie Cliss for catering; Dr Stubbs and John Reynolds for the fireworks; Julian Slator, Oliver Slator, Ben Conti and James Campbell who lit the stage, Marcus-Alexander Neil for front of house, Alison Daniels, Robert Sowood and Rowan Brogden for sound; John Coleman and Co for stage management; Kate Kaye (box office), Keith Cliss and Debbie Burchell in the Print Room; John Reynolds and his team, the Music Support Group for setting up and serving the strawberries and cream and the boys and parents. Thanks also for all those unnamed and unsung heroes who helped along the way – you know who you are! This event was the seventh I have been involved with – and as my son David ends his school career at Merchant Taylors’, thank you for unforgettable memories. Deborah Whalley Programme of Events - 2007MUSIC WEEK: June & JulyTuesday 26th June 7.30 Wednesday 27th June 6.00 Thursday 28th June 1.45-2.15 Thursday 28th June 7.30 Friday 29th June 7.30 for 8.00 Monday 2nd July 7.00pm Tuesday 3rd July 1.45 Tuesday 3rd July 1.45 Tuesday 3rd July 7.30pm
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Informal Events For five days, music filled every corner of the school. The third forms played both outside and inside the Lun during morning break. Lunch time concerts by the Swing Band, Dixieland Band, Clarinet Quartet, Jazz Group and Concert Band and a Leavers concert including many of the outstanding musicians from the sixth form in their final Music Week. |
| Czech Tour Concert The Czech Tour Concert featured the Chamber Choir performing a programme of vocal , choral and instrumental music both sacred and secular, which will be performed on their tour to the Czech Republic in July. There were some exceptional individual performances as well as beautiful choral singing. The audience enjoyed Pimms on the terrace prepared by the Music Support Group as the Plaine and Easie Voyces serenaded them. |
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MTS Jazz Night 05 On Friday evening the Music Support Group presented the fifth MTS Jazz Evening in the Recital Hall after an absence of a year. Jazz musicians, both students and staff, entertained the packed-to-capacity evening with outstanding Dixieland, swing and new jazz all complemented by the Po’ Boys meal prepared and served by the committee and members of the Music Support Group. |
| String Concert Following the weekend, the Concert of Music for Strings took place in the Recital Hall and showcased the school’s string players. The audience had a feast from the outstanding student, staff and parent performers featuring music by Beethoven, Brahms , Haydn, Handel, Prokofiev and Delius. Again the Music Support Group provided refreshments during the evening. |
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Summer Serenade XV Summer Serenade provided the Grand Finale to Music Week 2005. Unfortunately the weather was too unsettled for it to be held in the open air but spirits were not dampened in the least. The Concert Band opened the concert with a medley of music from "My Fair Lady", followed by the Junior strings, playing Soldier's March and Blues Tango. The wind band played Moon Dance and Mambo No.5 and Taylors Brass entertained with Adiemus. Also before the interval, there were performances by the Chamber Orchestra and the Swing Band before the Third Forms closed the first half with their version of Jonah Man Jazz. Fortified with strawberries and cream, the Dixieland band set feet tapping and the second half included The Vocal Ensemble and Short Fat & Sides. The Senior Orchestra played music from "the Lord of the Rings" and were joined by the Serenade Singers and the School Choir and Soloists for the Waltz Scene from "Eugene Onegin" by Tchaikowsky.The evening ended with the traditional audience participation and a spectacular fireworks display. |
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