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Musical excellence on display


String Quartet perform in the Hallam Hall

Musicians at SGS have been refining their talents with ensemble performances and, during lockdown, a series of challenges set by the Music department.

Performances and Ensembles

Fifth Year pupil Ella Moran gave a wonderful performance of Handel’s ‘Lascia ch’io pianga’ alongside Director of Music, Mr Dow, on piano.

The school’s String Quartet also delivered a mesmerising rendition of Mozart’s ‘Eine kleine Nachtmusik (1st movement – Allegro)’.

Towards the end of the Autumn term, a number of ensembles headed to the Hallam Hall to perform a series of pieces. These performances were recorded and have been added to ‘Music at SGS’ playlist on YouTube.

The Brass Ensemble delivered a jovial version of Scott Joplin’s ‘The Entertainer’, one of the classics of ragtime. The Saxophone Quartet meanwhile took on Karen Street’s version of ‘All In Good Time’.

The Percussion Ensemble performed ‘Twango!’, a song composed and directed by staff member Mr Mark Landon.

Woodwind 3 delivered wonderful performances of ‘La Forza del Destino’ and the atmospheric ‘Waltz No. 2’ by Dmitri Shostakovich, arrangement James Rae.

Woodwind 4 produced a rousing rendition of ‘The Liberty Bell March’ – the John Philip Sousa piece which is well-known as an American military march.

The Second Orchestra performed two pieces – ‘Hallelujah and Ode To Joy’ and ‘Danserie (Susato)’. The first piece saw them combine ‘Hallelujah’ from Handel’s ‘Messiah’ with ‘Ode To Joy’, which is best known for its use in the final movement of Beethoven’s ninth symphony. For ‘Danserie (Susato)’ they performed an arrangement by Richard Ling as part of Orchanics.

For the SGS Virtual Christmas Celebration, audiences were treated to a host of traditional carols including ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, ‘Good King Wenceslas’, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and ‘Come All Ye Faithful’, alongside beautiful choral compositions including ‘The Angel Gabriel’, ‘Torches’, ‘Lullay My Liking’ and this version of ‘Gaudete’.

Music Challenges

During lockdown, the Music Department have encouraged pupils to take part in a range of challenges.

Challenges included solo or ensemble performances, building a musical instrument and creating a performance by the whole family using voices, live instruments or software.

All of the performances can be viewed on the ‘Music at SGS’ YouTube playlist.

Owen M, who is in Second Year, performed ‘Jam Bouree’ by David A Stowell on the trumpet and Dan W performed the Third Movement (Allegro) from CPE Bach’s Flute Sonata in A Minor.

Will H, who is also in Second Year, sent in a number of pieces – ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’ by Arctic Monkeys, Oasis hits ‘Bring It On Down’ and ‘Round Are Way’ and ‘Act Naturally’ by The Beatles.

Third Year Anna S delivered a mesmerising version of ‘Khachaturian – Allegro giocoso, First movement from Sonatina’. The recital was one of three piano pieces she sent in. The other were ‘Andante’ and ‘Passepied’.

Enoch A’s drum cover of Keala Settle’s version of ‘This Is Me’ from The Greatest Showman delivered a composed, yet energetic, version of the award-winning song.

Fourth Year pupil Chase H sent in this great version of ‘Snail’ by Cavetown and Fifth Year Talia Z and her First Year sister Clara Z performed ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ from Les Misérables.

Lower Sixth student Oscar W sent in his version of ‘Humpty Dumpty’ by Chick Corea.

Second Year Thomas C sent in his version of ‘The Trout’ by Schubert, arranged Litten – an Associated Board grade two piece.
First Year Chun Ka L demonstrated his piano playing ability by performing Yiruma’s ‘River Flows in You’.

First Year Edith R sent in a video of her playing ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ from the Harry Potter films on the flute and Joseph F displayed his guitar skills in this performance of Martin Fogel’s ‘Marshmallow Cocoa’.

Finally, we are hugely impressed with Upper Sixth student Elliot M’s homemade bass guitar!

A lot of thought and hard work went into creating the instrument and it can hold quite a good tune as well – hear the homemade bass guitar in action!