Abingdon News No.50

Abingdon Music Chamber Music Workshop Students of all ages enjoyed a coaching workshop with pianists and strings, woodwind and brass musicians benefitting from some expert tuition from the Music department. Groups included a cello ensemble playing Argentinian tangos, a clarinet ensemble playing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody , a very exciting senior quartet playing Shostakovich and Dvorak’s truly symphonic Piano Quartet. Gloucester Cathedral proved a stunning setting for the Chapel Choir who soon grew accustomed to its five-second echo. The Choir rose to the occasion, with amongst others a truly wonderful rendition of Thomas Tallis’ If Ye Love Me , very apt for St Valentine’s day! For the last 14 years the piano has been the instrument of choice for some of the world’s finest pianists at the South Bank Centre – the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room. The Solo Concert Platforms 3 and 4 showcased some excellent performances from our musicians across a range of solo instruments. The fifth year GCSE musicians were also able to practise their solo pieces in front of parents and peers. Solo Concert Platforms Menine Brass Quartet The young professional brass quartet inspired our brass players at an afternoon workshop and then treated us to a lively evening recital in the Amey theatre. The afternoon proved to be a hugely enjoyable and successful learning experience for all involved. Intermediate Solo Competition Our fourth annual Intermediate Solo Competition showcased the talents of ten of the School’s musicians, the criteria for entry being grades 6 to 8. The competition was of a very high standard throughout. The winner’s cup went to violinist, Oliver Breach, for his lovely playing of Kodaly, 2nd place to clarinettist, Matthew Hoult and 3rd to pianist, Nicholas Raptakis. This is one of the highlights of the academic year at Abingdon, it’s a time when all the choirs come together to celebrate their achievements. Choral Evening 16