Abingdon News No.58

www.abingdon.org.uk 19 Chapel Choir ventured out to St Helen’s Church to sing choral evensong for the first time in well over a year. Berkshire Young Musician 2021 Oliver Simpson in the Fifth Year has won the Berkshire Young Musician of the Year 2021 competition. Ollie won the age 13-15 category, and also the title of overall Berkshire Young Musician of the Year 2021. As part of his prize he will perform a concerto with orchestra in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle at the Windsor Festival 2021 in September. Pupils from the Lower School to the Upper Sixth were keen to participate in the last solo platform of the year. This was also a final solo outing for some outstanding senior musicians who we thank for their inspiring performances over several years. Abingdon Music Composers’ Masterclass The Composers’ Workshop has been a busy hub of activity this year. We were delighted to welcome composer and OA, Edmund Finnis, to listen to some of our work in our Composition Masterclass. Edmund exhorted our composers to lead with their imaginations, listen widely and keep a wide range of possibilities open when writing their own music. Six first year pupils enjoyed a free harp taster session with the School’s harp teacher, Jenny Hill. Harp recruitment This term saw the inaugural Lower School Inter-Tutor Group Music Competition with each of the six tutor groups putting a performance together which had to include both instrumental and vocal elements. Instruments included an electric violin, harp, and even the bagpipes. It was fantastic to see so many young musicians performing in the Lower School Gala Concert. With an eclectic mix of music from Junior Strings, Lower School Band, Junior Blues and the debuting Open Mic Groups plus the professionalism of the first and second year choirs - it was a wonderful showcase of the musical talent we have at Abingdon. Lower School Gala Concert Inter-tutor group competition Solo Concert Platform 5 A welcome return for Choral Evensong