Great Scot December 2017 GreatScot_152_Dec_Online | Page 46

Music, Drama and the Arts
Music
Foundation Day Concert 2017
A celebration of Scotch and its
musical talent
Music is a powerful force. Its universal
language is a catalyst, bringing together opposing
peoples through various ventures such as the
Middle East Peace Orchestra. Music can speak to
all and unite performers in a shared experience as
they immerse themselves in a cultural encounter,
with emotional connection.
The Scotch Foundation Day Concert (13
September), while not needing to reconcile warring
factions, nevertheless is important in bringing
together the boys of the Senior School (trained
musicians or not) with staff, parents and Old Boys
in a celebration of the school and a showcase of
musical talent.
This year’s concert, held to mark the 166th
anniversary of the school’s foundation, began with
the National Anthem and the College Anthem.
Immediately all assembled were united, singing
for country and school, accompanied by the
Symphony Orchestra under John Ferguson. Two
talented Year 12 musicians then took their moment
in the spotlight. Charley Ma was soloist in the
technically demanding third movement of Sibelius’
Violin Concerto. This concerto is known for its
‘fire and ice’ motifs. Charley’s decisive playing
brought out fire, melting any wintry ice, which then
led beautifully into a sense of spring which was
found in the second orchestral work, as Philipp
Eversheim (Year 12) carefully shaped the running
streams of notes in Chaminade’s Concertino for
Flute and Orchestra. Two movements from the Williams completed the Symphony Orchestra’s
bracket.
Loch Lomond has now become a staple item
for the massed singers, and the boys clearly enjoy
it, singing the Scottish melody with confidence.
Preceding this was a medley of three spirituals
– The Gospel Train, By and By and Deep River.
Then, together with the audience, the boys and
orchestra gave a stirring rendition of Forty
Years On.
After some insightful performances of
Shostakovich by Scotch boys at the recent
Chamber Music Dinner, the Academy String
Orchestra embraced two movements from his
Sinfonia for String Orchestra. The first of the
movements was full of biting angst, and this
then led to a menacing waltz – both delivered
with precision and many contrasting dynamics.
Symphonic Wind were the next on stage with the
rhythmic and rousing Gavorkna Fanfare followed
by Whitacre’s Cloudburst, which used audience
participation to imitate the effect of rain.
After the interval the pace picked up, as the
Show Band entertained us with the popular
classic In the Mood. This provided an opportunity
to hear the talented solo trumpet and saxophone
players in this successful band. (The band won
division 2 at the Generations in Jazz competition
at Mount Gambier earlier in the year.) The
confident playing and perky style of Birdland
ensured everyone in the audience was happy. and contrasting Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho.
The Chamber Choir sang Clausen’s setting of
Burn’s O, my Luve’s like a Red, Red, Rose with a
particularly beautiful tenor line, before picking up
the pace with I’m a-Rollin.
Resplendent in their scarlet and tartan
trousers, the Military Band played The A Team
before their drummers launched into some stick
acrobatics, making this a visual as well as aural
experience. Despite some daring moves, no
sticks were dropped! Another style of drumming
heralded the Pipe Band, which having welcomed
the audience outside Hamer Hall before the
concert started, enthusiastically delivered Alec
Duthart’s Salute to Max Rayne followed by The
Anniversary Suite, written by Scotch staff member,
Mark Saul.
The stage was soon set for the return of the
Symphony Orchestra, as they joined forces with all
assembled for the singing of the College Song and
Boating Song, both conducted by senior boys.
The concert then concluded with some excerpts
from Carmina Burana: the massed singers
being put to the test with the nonsensical Latin
words, while the percussionists delighted in their
extensive contribution.
All left feeling uplifted, conversing with satisfied
chatter, reflecting on the evening they had enjoyed;
and, for a moment, all was well with the world.
DAVID BROWN – HEAD OF GILRAY HOUSE
popular Star Wars Suite for Orchestra by John The large College Choir, numbering around
200 boys, gave a reflective and calm rendition of
The Moon is Distant from the Sea before a spirited 1. DRUMMERS OF THE PIPES AND DRUMS BAND. 2. PHILIPP
EVERSHEIM. 3. HARRISON TORODE. 4. FULL CHOIR.
5. SYMPHONIC WIND. 6. CHARLIE SCHILLING AND MATTHEW
CHEAH. 7. JACK VAUGHAN AND ZAYNE PASPALIARIS.
8. SHOW BAND
46
Great Scot Number 152 – December 2017