Great Scot December 2019 Great Scot 158_December_ONLINE | Page 42

MUSIC
FOUNDATION DAY
CONCERT 2019
This year’s Foundation Day Concert, celebrating 168 years
since the founding of Scotch College, was held in Hamer Hall on
11 September. The concert began in spectacular fashion, as the
Symphony Orchestra accompanied the Massed Choir to perform the
National Anthem and College Anthem. The crowd participated with
gusto, setting the tone for an exhilarating night of music.
Samuel Zong (Year 11) played the Liszt Piano Concerto with
virtuosic technique and joyous demeanour. He dazzled the audience
as well as the orchestra with thrilling runs, tender chords and an
infectious passion for music. Yuki Goh (Year 12) was the next soloist to
take to the stage. Intensely focused and poised for his final Foundation
Day Concert performance, Yuki sat majestically behind his harp and
delivered a stunning performance. Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez
began with playful Spanish melodies performed by Yuki and echoed
by the orchestra. This dynamic and lively performance brought
thunderous applause from the audience. Four Scottish Dances by
Malcolm Arnold concluded a breathtaking bracket of music conducted
by John Ferguson.
The audience readied themselves to sing 40 Years On together with
the boys. In John Ferguson’s arrangement, the Massed Choir sang
over a lush accompaniment from the orchestra. Joshua Meng (Year 12)
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Great Scot Issue 158 – December 2019
delivered a spirited vocal performance of Siyahamba as percussionists
stood front and centre adding an African flavour. John Ferguson gave
the audience a quick singing lesson before they merrily sang Flanders
and Swan’s Hippopotamus together with the School.
The Academy Strings delivered a rousing performance of Britten’s
Simple Symphony that was aptly boisterous and superbly executed.
Guided by the masterful conducting of James de Rozario, the ensemble
went on to perform a crowd-pleasing medley of Abba songs brilliantly
arranged by Old Scotch Collegian and musical prodigy, Nick Buc (‘99).
The Symphonic Wind performed Van der Roost’s Flashing
Winds with cinematic grandeur. Listeners enjoyed an action-packed
performance filled with skilfully executed phrases over driving snare
drum patterns. Belmages’ Homage to Bharat (Reflections of India)
transported listeners to another land with music filled with drones,
sparse percussion and Middle Eastern melodies.
The second half of the concert began with the Show Band
performing an arrangement paying tribute to the great Duke Ellington.
The joy emanating from the performers was infectious, and the
audience enjoyed the music’s lush harmonies and beautiful colours.
Megan Philip stood at the helm as Joshua Munday (Year 9) played a
solo over a gentle rhythm section which intensified to support solos