There’s been plenty of marvellous music making at Sydenham High this term.
It was a case of double delight from the performers at the recent Piano Duet Concert. Over fifty pianists from both Junior and Senior schools delivered a variety of touch and physical technique which was both fascinating and awe-inspiring to listen to and watch. Thanks must go to Ms Worstall and Ms Rutt for organising the concert which featured pianists right from Year 1 to Year 13. Senior School pianists also provided wonderfully atmospheric background music at the Professional Skills celebration event.
The Senior School Spring Concert also showcased more performing talent. There was some beautiful ensemble playing from Advanced Strings with the middle movement of Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G minor. Now a recognised favourite of the classical repertoire, this piece was originally deemed too difficult for musicians to perform by its first publisher. String Sinfonia showed their confidence with performances of a Bach Bourree, Pachelbel’s famous Canon in D and the unmistakable sounds that follow the arrival on our screens of 007. The Concert Band conjured up more musical magic with a rousing version of You Raise Me Up and a sophisticated arrangement of Bobby Shafto.
For Junior School, the musical term had started with pupils in Year 3 getting to grips with the flute during Flourish and Fly week. Students were able to see, hear and try them out, to show them how their curriculum learning on the recorder can be applied to woodwind instruments. Many pupils were amazed to discover the finger patterns and notation reading are just the same.
Year 5 and 6 soon had their chance to showcase their talents too in their Spring Concert and it was good to see every pupil taking part in either an ensemble or solo piece.
The Easter Choral Concert at St Stephens provided a great end to the term with close harmony never far away. Whilst the Junior Choir ‘flew’ Around the World in 3 Minutes, the Senior Choirs stayed closer to home with heart-warming moments in Berkeley Square, veering North of the border with a Celtic Prayer and a traditional favourite Will Ye Go, Lassie Go?
