On Tuesday, 25th February, Merchant Taylors’ Hall was the setting for the annual concert performed by boys of Merchant Taylors’ School, Merchant Taylors’ Prep School, and St John’s School, Northwood.
The evening began a little after 6:45 pm with Taylors’ Brass, who opened the concert with “The Chrysler Building” from A Londoner in New York by Jim Parker. Taylors’ Brass were sat in the organ loft, which gave an atmospheric start to the evening. After this, two violinists from the Prep School performed the Vivace from Bach’s Concerto in D minor. The Merchant Taylors’ School Chamber Orchestra then took the stage, delivering engaging performances of the work known as the Albinoni Adagio in G minor and Gould’s “Elegy” from Holocaust Suite. The former featured Dominic D (L6ths) playing the organ.
The St John’s School Chamber Choir then sang “We Are One” by Mark and Helen Johnson. MTP Wind Quartet followed with lively renditions of Susato’s Danserye and Alford’s “Colonel Bogey March”, the latter known as the theme tune for the film “Bridge over the River Kwai”.
The concert continued with the Horn Trio’s performance of the “Andante” from Brahms’ Trio in E-flat. The Merchant Taylors’ Prep School Choristers then performed two songs, “My Evaline” and Schubert’s “Zum Rudentanz”, under the direction of Duncan Saunderson. One of the highlights of the evening was the performance by singers from both MTS and MTP of “And the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s Messiah, which we will be performing in its entirety at the end of term.
The St John’s School Star Wind Ensemble followed with the upbeat theme from “Chariots of Fire”. The concert concluded with the Chamber Choir’s diverse selection of choral works, including Passereau’s chirpy chanson “Il est bel et bon,” a madrigalian arrangement of the Beatles song “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and the caffeinated “Java Jive”. All of these songs will be performed on the Chamber Choir’s forthcoming tour to France and Germany in the summer.
