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) 42 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