Our Music Department continues to thrive, with numerous performances including the Scholar's Showcase and our Wind and Brass day. Notable moments include a stunning Requiem performance for the Feast of All Souls, this year's annual House Singing Competition, and exciting upcoming events such as the Jazz and Rock concert and the Cadogan Hall showcase in February.
As the colder nights draw in and the beautiful colours appear on the trees around the campus, music continues to flow from the Department, keeping spirits high and warm amongst our pupils. It’s always so pleasing to see how quickly many of our pupils settle into routine at Charterhouse, whilst continually throwing themselves into the myriad of opportunities and activities on offer for them. Music continues to thrive with many a recent performance being of real note and caliber.
Some time ago now, but certainly of high mention, was the Scholar’s Showcase concert that our musicians gave in Farncombe Church. We always try to have as many links with the local community, not just through music, but we have recently formed a partnership whereby Charterhouse musicians aim to perform at St. John’s, Farncombe, on a more regular basis. This delightful church, with a lovely acoustic, offered the perfect setting for a truly beautiful concert. Too many performances to mention, all of equal excellence, but a huge bravo to all those who gave a lovely lunchtime concert – the first of many! Thanks to Mrs Harris and Mr Corkin for all their hard work in putting the concert together.
Mr Corkin’s Wind and Brass day is always a greatly joyous occasion, bringing together the masses to have a fun-filled day out at Charterhouse for many of our local Prep School partners. This year, pupils from Edgeborough and Aldro, St Georges Windsor and RGS, Papplewick, Newton Prep and Highfield all descended on Charterhouse. Over fifty budding instrumentalists come together with some of Charterhouse’s finest musicians to rehearse and perform in Hall. Such classics as Indiana Jones, The Great Escape and Skyfall resounded around Hall and a truly fantastic day was had by all. A huge thank you, as ever, to Mr Corkin and his team of VMTs, but also to all of our pupils who stepped in to guide and support the hopeful future musicians of Charterhouse.
This year, we were most fortunate (at least, musically so) that the Feast of All Souls fell during term time, a rare occurrence. This is of note because it gives the opportunity for some of the most wonderful music for choir and organ to be part of what is one of the most reflective services in the liturgical year; a chance to remembers those who have gone before us in a quiet moment of calm and serenity amidst reflective and sobering music. This year, Schola Cantorum treated us to the glorious setting of the Requiem by French composer Maurice Durfulé. Perhaps one of the most famous in the repertoire, Mr McKee led the choir through this difficult music in what was a thrilling and exciting performance, the perfect accompaniment to a very special service led by Father Clive and Father Johnny. The choir were on truly top form, singing with excitement and passion and real musicality. We were also treated to two stellar moments of solo from Mr Mark Begbie and Mrs Claire Sutton-Williams, members of our own Brooke Hall. A bravo to Mr Sutton too for his crafty finger and footwork in his accompaniment from the organ – a chance to make full range of the Hauptwerk option to employ a French organ for this very French repertoire! Bravo tutti, a real highlight of the term thus far.
Enthusiasm and talent were on display during this year's House Singing Competition, accompanied by unique costumes and performances. Congratulations to our 2024 winners, Hodgsonites, for their outstanding rendition of 'You're Welcome' from Disney's Moana.
As we look ahead, our jazzers and rockers take to the stage next evening for what will undoubtedly be a hugely popular evening at the Jazz and Rock concert. We then quickly change direction as the Christmas run-in, with Candlelit Carols and Carol Services, is something look forward to. Rehearsals for next term’s musical are rumbling along in the background, but also for our major showcase concert in Cadogan Hall in February. If you’d like to be part of this super occasion, the Choral Society has started meeting on Fridays – do look out for a message from, or get in touch, with Mr McKee.
As ever, a huge thank you to all our dedicated and hard-working staff and of course to our wonderful pupils for turning out performance after performance – a joy to work with!
Details of upcoming musical events for this Quarter (Term) can be found below. We particularly invite you to attend this Thursday’s liturgical performance of the Duruflé Requiem for All Souls taking place in Chapel at 5.30pm. We hope that many of you will be able to join us for this spectacular music and very moving service.
All are warmly invited to join the Choral Society, who this year will be performing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on Monday 3 February in Hall, as well as on Wednesday 5 February in London’s Cadogan Hall. The Choral Society will comprise the Chapel Choirs, staff, parents, OCs and friends of Charterhouse (previous experience not required) and rehearsals this Quarter are in the Music Department on Fridays 8, 15 & 29 November from 7pm - 8pm.
Please complete the following brief form (link below) to sign up for this.
