Abingdon News No.48

Solo Concert Platform No 5 The concert featured impressive solos from all year groups on a range of instruments including the cello, bassoon and tuba. The piano dominated the second half with 12 out of the 15 performances. Performing with the Oxford Studio Orchestra Year 10 student, Ashwin Tennant, gave a stunning performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor with the Oxford Studio Orchestra at the St Michael and All Angel’s Church in Oxford. Junior Solo Competition The third and final phase of this year’s solo competition, the junior category, saw seven performances in front of our visiting adjudicator, Tim Bennett OA, the Director of Music at Cheam Preparatory School near Newbury. Woodwind, brass, strings and piano all featured with performers ranging from 1st to 4th years. The final decision was very close. Luke Prior came 3rd with If I Were a Rich Man , Luc Tucker, 2nd, with Vivaldi’s Sonata No 5 and Oliver Northwood, 1st, with Kozeluch’s Clarinet Concerto (slow movement). The Summer term plays out Our Summer Concert was this academic year’s final coming together for Abingdon’s musicians, and an opportunity to celebrate and thank many of our musical leavers. Gospel Choir, the Brass, Symphonic Wind and Big Bands, plus First, Second and Chamber Orchestra, played an entertaining and diverse range of music. The evening saw a conducting debut for sixth former Mohsen Ansari, and fine solos from 2018 leavers, Reuben Havelock and Robert MacLennan. Our Lower School Gala Concert presented an array of talent from the 120 boys who performed from the younger years. The concert gave parents, teachers and boys a chance to hear some of the wonderfully promising musicians that we are so lucky to have. Lower School impress Steaming down the Thames Parents, musicians and staff enjoyed a sunny summer’s evening cruising down the Thames aboard a Salter’s steamer. Musical accompaniment included close harmony singing from the Abingdon Academicals, chamber music from the Fourth Year String Quartet, a staff ensemble of six hands at the piano and Bach oboe solos from Mr Stinton. Abingdon Music 11 435 45 5 27 Boys play musical instruments Post-grade 8 and diploma standard musicians Choral and organ scholarships to Oxbridge in the last 3 years Chamber ensemble groups