St Mary's Calne
On Friday 30th September the annual Cecilia James Company Music Festival and Shout took place. It was adjudicated by Jason Chatwin (a television and film composer and pianist, who trained at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire).
The day began with the Rock and Pop Class, all Companies put forward singers this year. Charlie was triumphant for Osmund, singing an emotional rendition of Ben Boone’s In the Stars. Osmund continued their winning streak in both the Brass and the Woodwind classes, with Flo on trumpet, lulling the audience with The Trumpeter’s Lullaby and then with clarinettist Tessa, playing Mozart’s 2nd Movement of the Clarinet Concerto, one of the most beautiful pieces ever written for the instrument. The Vocal class was won by Izzy with a very convincing performance of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables.
The Instrumental Ensembles from every Company were very impressive this year, showing careful preparation and execution. The Cup and Company cheque was won by Moberly, led by Iona and Sienna, with a perfectly blended piano and string quintet account of Where’s my Love by SYML. As always, the Vocal Ensembles proved entertaining with their mix of vocal skill, choreography, and comedy. This year, it was Grosstête who were chosen for the quality of their harmonies and ensemble. The group was led by Charlie F in a Mash-up of Imagine Dragons' greatest hits.
In the afternoon, the solo rounds continued with Strings and Piano. In a class full of virtuosic string playing, Moberly’s Sienna took the win with Dragonetti’s Solo in D on the double bass. The last class of the day and the Anna Robert’s Cup, was claimed by Kate, displaying her dominance over the piano with Rachmaninov’s Prelude I.
The evening kicked off with an impromptu performance of a Pitch Perfect sing-off as the Heads of Company riled up the excitable crowd. The final of the Cecilia James solo Prize began shortly after with every soloist playing and singing to an exceptional standard. The cup was won by Izzy, with a faultless performance of her song.
This year the theme for the Shout was One Direction, and despite the interruption of the fire alarm and standing in the rain until the ‘all clear’ was given, spirits were not dampened, with every Company putting their all into their performances, accompanied by an excellent live band. The Shout winner for 2022 was Ed Rich with Osmund becoming the overall Music Festival winners.
Mrs Rachel Allard, Music Teacher (Singing)