While the School campus may not have been resounding with music-making this term, the Music Department was still able to produce a wonderful End of Year Concert, albeit virtually. The concert was as diverse as ever, featuring eleven performances from ten ensembles, seven of which were recorded from home.
Featured amongst those seven pieces were three choral pieces, performed by members of the temporarily re-branded Virtual Chapel Choir and Virtual Lower School Choir.
There are no fewer than four world premières of works composed and performed by Oakhamians, all performed, and some even completed, in lockdown:
- Sarabande and Allegro by Emilia Hubbard performed by a Virtual Woodwind Quartet;
- I’m here for you, written and performed by Matthew Everall;
- Theme and Variations on ‘Wusuli Boat Song’, composed by Becky Han;
- Mayflower, written by Freddie Buchanan and performed by a Virtual Brass Ensemble (pictured above).
The concert also featured some recorded highlights from pre-lockdown concerts – the Symphony Orchestra from the Autumn Concert, an excerpt from the Chamber Choir’s Brandenburg Festival Concert in January, and the Concert Band and Big Band, recorded at Friday Night is Music Night – the last major Chapel concert held in March.
The quality of the performances is a testament to the talent and resilience of our Oakham musicians and their teachers, putting together a magnificent programme in less than ideal circumstances. Bravo!
To watch the concert, please click here