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Welcome to the Music Support Group

If you are interested in music, then why not check out the main Music pages here  

The Music Support Group exists to support and encourage the musical life of the school, both financially and in other ways, and to give assistance to the music staff in any way possible. It gives those with a particular interest in music the opportunity to meet socially, to contribute ideas on how music can be promoted in the school, to raise funds for equipment and tours and to help with the organisation of musical events of all kinds.

 XVIIIth Summer Serenade

This year’s Summer Serenade took place on the evening of 1st July.  Fortunately the promised thunderstorms held off and we were able to enjoy the music in the open air. Many families took advantage of the superb weather to picnic in the Inner Quad prior to the concert. Always a popular event, this year was no exception and what a wonderful way to bring music week, and very nearly the school year, to a close. As usual the programme was varied and enjoyable with contributions from the Senior Orchestra, Wind Band, the Dixieland Band, the 3rd Form (yes all of them in a choral item!), Taylor’s Brass , the Percussion Ensemble, the Swing Band, Concert Band , the Chamber Orchestra, U6, the Parents Choir, and the School Choir and Orchestra. With so many performances and all of such a high standard it’s unfair to single items out but special mention has to go to John Pilgrim for his wonderful rendition of Rule Britannia in true “last night of the proms fashion”. This is John’s last year at MTS and along with many other 6th formers who have made such a contribution to music at the school, he will be sorely missed.

Strawberries and cream were served during the interval by members of the Music Support Group (our thanks to Mr Chappell for providing them). The evening ended with a spectacular Firework Display from behind the Clock Tower (thanks to Dr Stubbs and John Reynolds.

All in all a fantastic evening and our thanks go to the staff of the music department, the technical and  stage crews, box office staff, performers and all those who helped make it such a success..

Mair Sowood

Music Support Group welcomes new Chair Veronica Chamberlain

The Music Support Group has continued to support musical events throughout the year. We served refreshments at the well-attended organ recital in the Great Hall illustrated with slides by Richard Hobson. Our Quiz Supper in the Recital Hall was well-supported – and our grateful thanks go to Mrs Cliss for the excellent food provided by and her team, and to Mr Reynolds and his team for all their help, jazz music by students and staff, quiz rounds, desserts, raffle and a music sale provided by committee members, staff and friend made for a very enjoyable evening.

Fundraising over the last year has allowed for the purchase of music vouchers as prizes for the Junior House Music Competition, CD recording technology for students and a bassoon, bass clarinet and trombones. Further fundraising will also go towards the Chamber Choir tour to Barcelona and the Costa Brava in July.

In March, the committee also provided refreshments at the Informal Chamber concert, the violin and piano recital by Dimitar Burov and Mark Smith in the Recital Hall and the Joint Choral Society performance of Haydn’s “The Creation” in the Great Hall.

We served refreshments at The Merchant Taylors’/St Helen’s Joint Orchestra concert and will do so at the organ recital and lecture to be given by Richard Hobson and Joan Stubbs in the Great Hall on 9 May and all events during Music Week – the Vocal Concert, the String Concert and the Summer Serenade and hosting the Jazz Evening in the Recital Hall on Friday 29 June. Tickets for events will be available via Mrs Kate Kaye in the school office after Half Term.

This will be my last duty as chair as my son, David leaves Merchant Taylors’ this summer. My thanks go to the Music Department teachers and the school staff, and especially the committee who have been so supportive and patient during my three years as chairman. Thanks also for the help from Mary Howe and Mina Shah who are also leaving. I am pleased to hand over to Veronica Chamberlain as chair of a consortium to carry on the good work.

Veronica Chamberlain
veronica@eastendpinner.co.uk