Abingdon News No.53

Abingdon Music Choral Evensong at Coventry Cathedral Our Big Band, intermediate and senior jazz ensembles thoroughly enjoyed top-class teaching from a team of jazz musicians who went on to play an evening gig at the school as part of their UK tour. From the UK we had Martin Speake (sax), and Callum Gourlay, (bass) and from New York, we had Ethan Iveson (piano) and Jef Williams (drums). Martin Speake Jazz Masterclasses This year’s Chamber Music Workshop gave an insight into the very exciting small ensemble work that takes place in the Music department. Much of the term was spent in preparation for the national Pro Corda Festival of Chamber Music. The talents of 13 of the School’s intermediate musicians (grades 6 to 8) were much in evidence and the competition was of a very high standard. First place went to First Year drummer, Oscar Scannell, for his lovely playing of Kodaly, 2nd place to pianist, Aidan Chan and 3rd to bassoonist, Josef O’Connor. Intermediate Solo Competition We were treated to incredibly varied music-making of a very high standard at this year’s concert with performers from all year groups. Compositions ranged from renaissance dances to contemporary composer, John Iveson, and everything in between – Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Dvorak, Elgar. Annual Chamber Music Concert Chapel Choir led Choral Evensong at Coventry Cathedral where the fabulous setting inspired the boys to perform to their best ability. Chamber Music Workshop Solo Concert Platform No 3 Our solo concert platform showcased outstanding performances from some of our leading musicians across a range of solo instruments. The concert also gave opportunities for several fifth year GCSE musicians to air their pieces in front of parents and peers and to give them a first recording which they can use to help polish their performances. 14