“Choral music, both
socially and musically,
is at the very heart
of school life.”
T he C horal Year
The choral year 2017-18 was action-packed and
vibrant. As a keen singer, it has been a year of
particular enjoyment. The huge array of music, and
the diversity of genres that have been performed,
from gospel to Mozart, has given everyone an
opportunity for pupils and staff to share their love
of choral singing. Barbershop quartet – and were given expert advice,
down to the minute detail of when to change vowel
sounds on a diphthong. The concert that followed
was memorable to say the least. Most of the choirs
performed a piece or two, but the highlight of the
night was seeing the a cappella group singing with
these experts of close harmony at their sides.
The most momentous occasion of the year is to
hear the 150-strong Choral Society in its full glory,
booming basses and soaring sopranos alike. I had
never performed the Mozart Requiem before, and
in spite of the solemnity of the music, there was
a palpable sense of excitement at taking part in
music-making on such a grand scale. Performing the
Requiem with a choir of students and parents was
ambitious to say the least – this great masterpiece
is not forgiving – but Mr Heighway decided that the
student body could rise to the challenge of performing
the solos as well. The event was a huge success, and
I think that everyone involved found the process of
rehearsal and the final performance deeply rewarding. The Sennocke Consort has had a very successful
year, performing multiple concerts and evensongs –
reserved for those brave enough to sight-read music
on the day – and an enjoyable a tour of Tuscany.
I would like to extend a special thank you to the
audiences who attended our concerts, and for the
dedication of the staff, without whom this would not
be possible. Choral music – both socially and musically
– is at the very heart of school life.
The sheer number of choral groups that have
performed this year is testament to the wide range
of stylistic options on offer here. Involving as many
students as possible is key to the musical life of the
school, from the Lower School Singers – full of energy,
under the guidance of the irrepressibly bouncy Mr
Potts – to the Gospel Choir, the Chamber Choir, the
Senior Girls’ Choir and the Sennocke Consort.
Another highlight of the year was the King’s Singers
concert in September. One of the best close harmony
groups in the world, their masterclass and concert
were as instructive as they were awe-inspiring and
hilarious. The opportunity of a masterclass with the
King’s Singers comes around once in a blue moon.
Pupils were given the chance to sing to them in their
groups – including the a cappella group and the
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MUSIC REVIEW
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2017-2018
Ben Hancox-Lachman, Lower Sixth
Soloists in the Requiem
Aria Baker
Madeleine Brown
Vita de Munck
Diego del Ser
Andrei Golovanov
Tiffany Griffiths
Inci Gürün
Grace Hall
Ben Hancox-Lachman
Meg Ishimitsu
Sophie Littlewood
Eleanor Petry
Jacob Robinson
Tilly Robson
Serena Thomson
Peter Westbrooke
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