Abingdon News No. 52

www.abingdon.org.uk 19 Baroque Music Workshop The renowned period ensemble, the Instruments of Time and Truth, gave live performances of two music GCSE set works and related repertoire, together with presentations from musicologist and choral director, Jeremy Summerly. We were delighted to welcome students and teachers from John Mason, Larkmead, Matthew Arnold School, OLA, Radley, St Helen’s and Wychwood. The Lower School picked up this year’s trophy with an impressive rendition of A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman . The first and second years sang with commitment under the expert direction of Arthur Robertson. O’Doherty’s House came in second with Rick Astley’s Never Gonna’ Give You Up , followed by School House with a rousing performance of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida . House Singing Competition The first Solo Concert Platform of the year gave us the opportunity to hear seven excellent performances from a range of talented musicians representing woodwind, strings and piano. Second Solo Platform In the second Solo Concert Platform, brass and singing were also included in the line-up with the 16 musicians demonstrating all five areas of instrumental teaching in the school. The competition this year was characterised by excellent performances from five of Abingdon’s post grade 8 musicians. The standard was again extremely high with 1st prize and the cup going to Nicholas Raptakis. Senior Solo Competition A welcome Addition to the Music Department We are very grateful to David Allen (OA 1966) and his wife Shelagh for the wonderful new pedal harp which we received this term. First Solo Platform Robert Max, distinguished cellist, chamber musician, educator and conductor of several orchestras gave four senior solo cellists and 15 chamber cellists a very impressive masterclass. Cello Masterclass