liams, inspired by the music of the English Renaissance. The two separate orchestras plus a solo string quartet, consisting of Felix Patten (Year 13, violin I), Samuel Ray Billington (Year 12, violin II), Yan Hung Lui (Year 13, viola) and Captain of School Arjun Deshpande (Year 13, cello), perfectly blended together to reveal the melancholy spirit of the piece. The performance was expertly conducted by Head of Strings, Miss Lesley Larkum. The final item was a magnificent rendition of Holst’s The Hymn of Jesus’, a strikingly original piece reflecting the horrors of the First World War. The off-stage semi chorus part was sung by Mrs Olivia Berriff, Miss Ellie Holroyd and Mrs Karen O’Keefe; the Madrigal Choir and the College Chorus sang the first and second choir parts respectively in the chorus, beautifully capturing the mystical quality of the harmonies. The College Symphony Orchestra, led by Felix Patten, concluded the programme in a rousing finale. The audience was captivated and the entire evening was magical from start to finish. Jazz at Pizza Express Our Jazz musicians performed at the internationally renowned Pizza Express Jazz Club Dean Street, Soho in March, with the College Big Band playing a range of music from Glen Miller, to Count Basie to Metheny.
Carols by Candlelight Carols by Candlelight took place at Southwark Cathedral on Friday 9 December, with the Chapel Choir leading a large congregation for the singing in a Service that includ- ed readings, carols and congregational hymns, and music by Peter Warlock, William Mathias, Arvo Pärt, Carl Rütti and Cecilia McDowall, the College’s Visiting Composer.
College Chapel Choir 2023 In addition to the regular services in Christ’s Chapel, the College Chapel Choir has enjoyed singing in two of London’s finest ecclesiastical buildings this year. Even- song at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square, on Sunday 26 February was a memorable occasion. The scale and acoustics of the church make it a very spe- cial place to sing and the choir always appreciates its vis- its. On this occasion, Brooke Storey, the Head of Chapel Choir, conducted Bruckner’s Locus iste as the Introit, and the music included Jonathan Dove’s superb anthem Seek him that maketh the seven stars. The organ was played by Miss Lucy Morrell, Head of Academic Music, and Alex Hemple, the College’s Organ Scholar. The choir then sang Evensong at Southwark Cathedral on Wednesday 8 March, again accompanied by Miss Morrell. Their singing was warmly received by the regular congregation and visitors for the occasion and included music by E.J. Moeran and Edward Bairstow’s anthem Save us, O Lord.
Spring Choral Concert, 2023
Felix Patten (Year 13) reports on a magical concert in Southwark Cathedral
On Friday 17 March, the College’s Spring Choral Con- cert was given in Southwark Cathedral to a packed and delighted audience. The Madrigal Choir, College Chorus and Symphony and Chamber Orchestras performed a demanding programme of music that included works by Cecilia McDowall, Mozart, Vaughan Williams and Holst. Over 200 performers were involved in the opening piece, the UK premiere of ‘The Gift to Sing’, a commission by the College’s Visiting Composer, Cecilia McDowall. It consists of poetry by James Weldon Johnson set to a heartfelt score of strings and percussion, reflecting the power of music in difficult times. Jacob Taylor (Year 13), the College’s Vice Captain of School, then gave a superb performance of the first movement of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, one of the composer’s most prominent works for the clarinet, conducted by Mr David Eno, Deputy Director of Music. The second part of the concert began with the exquisite ‘Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis’ by Vaughan Wil-
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THE ALLEYNIAN 711
MUSIC
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