Great Scot December 2019 Great Scot 158_December_ONLINE | Page 43

LEFT: SAMUEL ZONG
(YEAR 11) PLAYS THE
LISZT PIANO CONCERTO
WITH THE SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA. CLOCKWISE
FROM TOP LEFT: YUKI
GOH (YEAR 12) AND THE
ORCHESTRA PERFORM
RODRIGO’S CONCIERTO
DE ARANJUEZ; THE
MILITARY BAND PLAYS
HERNANDEZ’S EL
CUMBANCHERO; THE
COLLEGE CHOIR FILLS
THE STAGE; JOSHUA
MENG (YEAR 12) SINGS
A SOLO.
from Yuki Goh, Alex Daley (Year 11) and Alex Paterson (Year 12).
Sir Duke kicked off with thick horn melodies played in perfect unison,
as the vibrant, swinging mood continued to grow.
The College Choir filled the stage, and captivated the audience with
the opening of Faurè’s Cantique de Jean Racine. Runestad’s Nyon
Nyon followed, with the choir delivering a bold and playful performance
filled with unconventional and exciting colours and textures. The
College Choir dispersed and the Chamber Choir remained to sing
Arnesen’s Even When He is Silent. The hauntingly beautiful melodies
rang out under Andrew Hunter’s wonderfully expressive conducting.
Then the mood took an exciting turn as the Chamber Choir began
their spirited performance of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, which included
wonderful solos from Alex Law and Oscar Ng (both Year 12), along with
some choreography to deliver a bit of comic relief.
Marching onto the stage with commanding prowess, the
Military Band delivered an electrifying performance of Hernandez’s
El Cumbanchero. The precisely executed rhythms, melodies and
synchronised movements were spectacular. The Drumline impressed
with a dramatic array of fast-paced rhythms and perfectly timed
marching to Campbell Phillips’ (‘06) arrangement of Last Minute
Madness.
A haunting drone signalled the beginning of a provocative
performance from the Pipe Band. Through clouds of smoke and into
a soft blue light, the performers entered the stage one by one. The
audience enjoyed a thrilling performance of Mark Saul’s original piece,
In the Valley of Glencoe. The bagpipes rang out in glorious splendour
as mallets twirled and struck the drums with precision.
The Symphony Orchestra took to the stage once again to
accompany the School Choir in vigorous performances of the College
Song and the Boating Song. The audience joined in with gusto
as our traditional songs rang out through Hamer Hall. A Scottish
medley arranged by John Ferguson included stunning orchestrations
accompanying traditional songs as the School Choir performed the
well-known songs. To conclude an invigorating final bracket, the
Symphony Orchestra delighted us with a lively rendition of Mason
Williams’ Classical Gas.
Boys and staff involved in this year’s Foundation Day Concert
can take pride in the commitment, skill and passion that made this
spectacular event possible.
DANIEL ZISIN – MUSIC STAFF
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
43