Congratulations to Elan (UVI), who has been offered a Choral Award at Trinity College, Cambridge, where she hopes to read Music from September.
On Friday 25th March, St Mary’s Concert Artists took part in a very special event at Bowood House, by kind invitation of Lady Lansdowne. The selected musicians were keen to sing, even on the first day of the Easter holiday, which was very heartening!
Last Friday, 18th March, saw the return of the annual Spring Concert, this year titled ‘Up: Music to Make you Smile', and indeed it did. We were treated to some stunning performances from a record number of performers – 111 girls took part this year with every single one of them taking part in the UVI arranged and rehearsed Finale, One Day Like This by Elbow.
On Thursday 17th March, girls studying the harp got together with a few friends to celebrate harp playing at the first harp party for several years.
The Fourth Form Music Festival culminated on the evening of 7th March with the Celebration Concert in which 16 of our junior musicians performed for the Festival Cup.
On Saturday, 5th March, 16 pianists, representing a cross-section of all year groups and abilities, attended the Tenth Anniversary Pangbourne Piano Festival 2022.
On Wednesday 16th February, the LIV took part in a Music Workshop with Ms Palfreyman, designed for the girls to explore a peer scaffolded approach to learning.
On Friday 4th February, the senior finalists for the 2022 Sir Bryn Terfel Song Prize performed their beautifully chosen programmes which included songs from a Baroque Aria, an English song and their own choice, to our esteemed adjudicator, Jeffrey Howard.
On the evening of Thursday 20th January, the Concert Artists of St Mary’s Calne staged their much-anticipated ‘Opera Gala’ within the historic surroundings of Oxford’s magnificent Sheldonian Theatre.
On the afternoon of December 14th, the LIV Choir visited Penn Court Residential Home for the much-anticipated annual Christmas Carol Singing.
The Carol Service on 12th December was a night to remember, with a programme chosen by the wonderful Mrs Dudley Fryar and Miss Arthur. Readings were organised by Father Johnathan, and we had some wonderful organ playing from Mr Joyce.
It was wonderful to be able to welcome parents, family and supporters to the Chapel last Thursday for the annual Autumn Concert – the first for two years. With a programme of film music both classic and modern, performed by all the school’s ensembles, the concert promised the perfect antidote to a chilly November night!
Last Friday, 19th November, the library was filled with the sound of St Mary’s musical talent for our annual Jazz Café concert.
We were delighted to welcome visiting Year 6 girls from a range of different Prep and Primary Schools to the Delscey Burns Theatre on Tuesday 23rd November for a day of musical theatre fun with our ‘Musical Mega-Mix’ Workshop.
The Music Department is always proud to support students in their musical contributions to the wider local community. Two of our students, Robin (UV) and Tessa (LVI) are members of the choir of St John’s Church, Devizes, formerly under the direction of our very own Mr Chris Totney.
The Cecilia James Company Music Festival and Shoutwas back again in all its glory this year with performances from the sublime to the ridiculous – as is quite right for this event!
Lauren (Year 13) recently gained her ARSM singing Diploma with distinction, gaining a magnificent 48/50. For the exam she had to prepare a 40-minute recital of contrasting songs, in which she managed to encompass 300 years of music in Italian, Latin, French, German and English.
Alexa (Year 13) has recently scored an outstanding final result for her LCM Diploma in Musical Theatre, with 92/100 awarded. The examiner commented, "It was a pleasure to meet you today. We discussed a wide range of related issues and you clearly have a great love for and understanding of the musical theatre. I wish you well at Chichester and hope that you continue to enjoy your training. Good luck!"