5 and 7 December 2011
This year’s Christmas Concerts were remarkable both for the number of performers involved across the two concerts (nearly four hundred on the first night) and for the broad range of musical genres, including choirs, orchestras and bands.
Whilst each of the Christmas Concerts had a shared core of ensembles, Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Band and First Orchestra, the first was Lower School-weighted with a complete LS choir, a LS Band and School Choir with a LS treble top line. On the Wednesday evening these ensembles were replaced with the Second Orchestra. As a result, the first night was a sell-out, with parents queuing for tickets – all eventually happily seated!
The first Concert was the inaugural one for new Assistant Director of Music, John Cotton, who got things of to a vibrant and exuberant start with two song arrangements for the 120 boys in Lower School Choir, including a seasonal Old Spanish song, Riu, Riu Chiu with each of the six tutor groups taking their own verse. Santa Claus is Coming to Town was a suitably seasonal finale!
School Choir had a wonderful improvised feel in some cool Beach Boy numbers, including I Get Around and Babaran, whilst LS Band entertained with some confident and noisy playing in Marchus Maximus and Train Blues under Nigel Somerville’s clear and enthusiastic direction.
Second Orchestra, this year in really decent numbers, played two works by Bizet – Carillon from L’Arlesienne Suite 1 and the March from Carmen, both confident and executed to good effect at the Wednesday concert.
Chamber Orchestra, following, presented Vivaldi’s famous Spring from The Four Seasons with George Burrage as the outstanding soloist, his beautiful playing receiving tumultuous applause after every movement!
Symphonic Wind Band were in fine form in Coates’ stirring Dambusters March and Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest, the playing was tight in ensemble and gripping throughout.
In the Second Half Big Band wowed the audience with several numbers, Tequila, Splanky, For Once in My Life (vocalist – Toby Marlow) and Autumn Leaves. I counted 14 trumpets 19 Saxes… They were, as ever, in great form under Simon Currie’s experienced and relaxed direction.
Finally, the First Orchestra set this year included Schubert’s Symphony No 8 (The Unfinished), Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor (soloist, Joe Ereaut) and a Burt Bacharach Medley, followed by the customary audience carol, Hark the Herald. Joe's virtuosic playing received standing ovations both nights and stole the show!
