APS News 16

8 January 2017 Abingdon Prep Performing Arts Snow forced the postponement of our carol concert at St Helen’s church, but we were able to reschedule a slightly shorter version for the end of term assembly. While we were disappointed that there was no room for parents to see the boys perform this Christmas programme, we hope to post filmed highlights on the school website. Once in Royal opened proceedings and soloist Tom sang with a beautiful tone. Then a wide range of different musical styles was celebrated, from Year 3 and 4’s Maori song Te Harinui and Junior Choir’s Twilight by Jo McNally, to Jazz Band combining a carol with 007 in Simon Currie’s arrangement God Rest You Merry Bond! Year 5 and 6 also entertained with kazoos in the chorus of Christmas on the Beach at Waikiki. Senior choir performed a beautiful song, Sirius , by Robert Legg (who judged the House Music Competition last year). Years 7 and 8 gave a spirited rendition of Jingle Bells in French ( Vive le vent ) with Lynne conducting; Sacha and Will were soloists in their next song, That’s Christmas to Me . Orchestra played Slade’s perennial classic, Merry Christmas Everybody. We are very lucky that Director of Music, Debbie Rose is a talented composer, and several different groups sang songs she had written. In between the music, boys from Years 3-8 read Christmas poems and texts. Headmaster Craig read from John 1, and Reverend Paul Gooding from Abingdon School both opened the concert and gave the final blessing. Thank you to Debbie, Bethan, Helen, Jamie, Lenka, Paul and Rachel and all who made the rescheduled concert such a success. Carol Concert Concert Platform 20 pupils from Years 2-8 performed in our November Concert Platform’s rich and varied programme. William played My Girl on bass ukulele, accompanied by Debbie, Daniel played Une Larme by Rossini on double bass, and Josef a fast and furious jazz scale study Return Flight on saxophone.There was singing too, with Charlie performing Home on the Range and Rupert’s Camptown Races . It was lovely to see the boys enjoying their music and receiving their applause with pride.