The sun is shining, the sound of leather on willow chimes alongside the dulcet tones from the RVW meaning we must be well and truly enjoying the excitement of Cricket Quarter (Spring Term) at Charterhouse. Perhaps the ‘best’ term to many, certainly an exciting one for the Music Department as ever.
Choral Evensong has continued to be staple diet for Schola Cantorum every Thursday in Chapel, perhaps the perfect way to round-off any evening, with music of an eclectic nature being discovered, explored and beautifully sung each week. The choir has worked incredibly hard all term, and all year for that matter, often turning music around very quickly yet still performing to a very high standard, delivering this most special of services. A particular highlight this Quarter was joining forces with over a hundred Prep School pupils from many of our feeder schools. Pupils from Edgeborogh, Aldro, Cobham Free School, Highfield and Hall Grove School came to Charterhouse on a gloriously sunny afternoon, entertained by Mr McKee and the music department and put through their choral paces in a variety of repertoire. With everything from Adele to Parry, a wonderful afternoon was had by all. A delightful concert was held just before Evensong at which each school presented their own prepared item; the combined forces gave renditions of Billy Joel’s And So It Goes, before Schola showed off the sumptuous harmonies in Eric Whitacre’s Sleep. All forces joined once more for the service of Evensong, with music by Howells and Parry. This was a most glorious afternoon of singing, enjoyed by all and huge thanks goes to everyone that helped to make this such a fantastic afternoon, particular thanks to Mr McKee for his direction and Mrs Brown for admin-extraordinaire!
A week previously, a new initiative by Mr McKee (although a reinstating from previous years) saw the House Partsong competition held in Hall. Putting together a small group of singers from each House reduces the ‘safety in numbers’ element that the annual House Singing competition allows; however, almost every House entered into the spirit and, as ever, the standard was truly excellent. Former member of choral ensemble Voces8, Mr Christopher Wardle adjudicated proceedings. Disney songs, Musical Theatre numbers, arrangement of Pop and Rock songs all featured, all successfully showcasing the partsong, multi-lined ensemble ability of the Houses. It was a very hard decision to make, but Sutton and Northbrook took first and second spots respectively, with Bodeites a very close third with their harkening back to the 90s version of I want it that way, courtesy of The Backstreet Boys. Honourable mention must go to all the other Houses who gave excellent accounts of themselves; very much onwards and upwards to this competition next year!
Head of Woodwind Mr Corkin seem to have a habit of calling upon excellent weather for the now annual visit to the Godalming Bandstand which, once again performed by his excellent Big Band, showcased two wonderful sets of toe-tapping jazz and swing numbers. Oli T, Oli F, Fleur, Cassia and Lyra all joined the band from the microphone, stepping in to sing and further delight the massed crowds who enjoyed a perfect afternoon of sun, music and ice-cream! This was actually the second visit of Charterhouse musicians in a week which, on the previous Wednesday evening, featured a lovely Ensemble concert in the parish church of St Peter and St Paul. Once again led by Mr Corkin but very much assisted by Head of Strings Mrs Harris and woodwind teacher Mrs Nightingale, this concert was a lovely showcase of some of our, perhaps, more junior ensembles. Given a platform and stage outside of the School walls created a new atmosphere and occasion for the pupils; two sax quartets, string trio and quartet, junior jazz ensemble, wind quintet and flute quartet all featured in a concert that once again featured a truly eclectic but well-performed variety of repertoire. The audience were given a real treat and another successful outing for our musicians at, we mustn’t forget of course, this most busy and often stressful of times for certain year groups. It is of constant admiration that our pupils continue to offer up their hobbies and skills for the benefit of themselves and the school, alongside their academic studies; a most healthy of attitudes!
Our most recent event was once again highly successful, both for its quality and wholesomeness. In a new format, the annual Singing Competition took centre stage, this year adjudicated by Mr Richard Coxon, Head of Vocal Studies at Cheltenham College. With so many enthusiastic entrants, a heats round was held the previous week after which 30 finalists were put through – an Intermediate and a Senior category, offering Classical, Musical Theatre and Pop genres in each. And blimey, what a standard there was! Each pupil from year 9 to 13 sang so wonderfully, full of engagement, enthusiasm, maturity and stage presence, not to mention wonderful vocal ability. Credit must be given to our wonderful team of singing teachers without whom none of this would be possible. With so many excellent performances, it would be unfair to pick any out, suffice to mention the overall winners on the night: Jackson and Jago took their respective Classical prizes, Robyn and Cassia the Musical Theatre and Aarna and Lyra the Pop category. Besides the wonderful performances, it was also so pleasing to see how supportive the pupils were of each other, the time and effort that had gone into the preparation and the wholesome and nurturing nature exuded in the room as the result of a wonderful foray into the world and celebration of song. Bravo tutti!
Next up is the eagerly anticipated Eve of Carthusian Day concert, the now traditional celebration of our departing musicians who have given so much of their energy to Charterhouse Music during their time here. Symphony and Chamber Orchestras are fast gearing up for performances of concertos by Stamitz (Jago, clarinet), Poulenc (Edward, organ) and Bruch (Timothy, violin). This will be a wonderful, multi-venued concert, not to be missed. Carthusian Day follows where, as ever, music will be celebrated all afternoon with a variety of performances, before we are shortly into the second half of term with Artifex on the horizon.
An excellent, busy and fulfilling term thus far with lots to look forward to.
