MUSIC NOTES - from Phoenix 1965 [published July 1965]
In one respect this is a sad season for the orchestra as we are losing a large number of players who have given outstanding service to the School. No fewer than eight are from one form, Mr. Barker’s, the players being Christine Asbfield, Marilyn Blomfield, Peter Dawson, Christine Duchesne, Paul Fiddes, Janice Knight, Margaret Manchester and Patricia Penny. From the same year group we are also losing Christopher Carr. No orchestra could have members more loyal, always ready to give up their free time for extra rehearsals or to play in functions outside the School. I fear it will be some time before we see their like again as, in addition to their personal qualities, several are outstandingly good players. We have two further departures to note. Mr. Walford Johnson left us at Christmas but returned to play in the Concert in March, and Trevor Cox is leaving us this year. So we are now without any trombones. However, on the other side of the balance sheet we welcome Miss Bracken (Oboe) who arrived last September and is already filling a key post in the orchestra.
In the annual concert this year we essayed a little mild avant-garde music which was tolerably well received. A choir drawn largely from the junior school with some sixth form stiffening performed Harrison Birtwhistle’s “Music for Sleep”. The solo group was composed of Pamela Elson, Sonja Llewellyn, Helen Vaux and John Blackwell, the whole work being supported by piano, woodwind and an assortment of percussion. The concert reached a very satisfactory standard and included orchestral music, concertos and chamber music. The only other instrumental activity carried out this season was the provision, by a small group, of music, which was pre-recorded, for the school dramatic society’s production of “Macbeth”.
Possibilities for next season’s performance include Beethoven’s Piano Concerto in C Major, Weber’s Clarinet Concertino and some chamber music, probably a String Quartet. Meanwhile the hunt for new music goes on.
A great treat was provided for the School on the last day of the Spring term by a group of players from the Royal College of Music who gave a fantastic performance of Stravinsky’s “L’histoire du Soldat”. This will long be remembered.
The orchestra was the recipient of an unexpected gift of £150 from the Parents’ Association. This generosity, unmatched by public funds in my time here, enables us to buy a basoon and another double bass. As we get so little support from public funds, and our orchestra is an expensive group to run, this magnificent donation was exceptionally welcome. We must also thank Mrs. Cole for the gift of a trombone and Mrs. Last for a violin.
I am sure the orchestra will wish me to thank Dr. Muir, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Thompson and Miss Bracken for their unselfish support of our activities as well as for their artistic contribution.
W.H.