my friends . The exhilaration and rhythm of working together with a group of people to produce a piece of music , then sharing it with an audience , is something truly unique . I have participated in so many choirs in my time at Sevenoaks : Sennocke Consort , Choral Society and Senior Girls ’ Ensemble , to name just a few . Yet the ambience of each group feels ever so slightly different , provides new challenges and excitement , blooming into something equally rewarding with each rehearsal . A highlight for me would have to be the Legends concert , where I saw everyone fully absorbed in the ambience of the choir – making memories that would no doubt last beyond our time at Sevenoaks – it was the climax of so much hard work from both students and staff .
Over the course of this year , our choirs , specifically Sennocke Consort , have had the incredible opportunity to sing evensong in two different churches in London , St Lawrence Jewry and St James Garlickhythe , and in the churches and cathedral of Santiago de Compostela . I would like to thank Mr Dyer , among other members of staff , for organising these trips and allowing us to share music outside the Sevenoaks community . These have been amazing experiences that have really allowed us to bond as a choir – a crucial aspect of choral singing . I , along with other members of the choir , and two organists , attended a choral workshop at Merton College , Oxford , which not only allowed us to sing with their choir and participate in workshops with Merton ’ s singing teachers , but it also gave us the opportunity to learn more about the Oxford admissions process .
The greatest climax was the final choral concert of the Lent term – A Night at the Opera . Featuring a range of stunning , yet incredibly challenging opera repertoire – from Bizet ’ s ‘ March of the Toreadors ’ and ‘ Habanera ’, Verdi ’ s ‘ Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves ’ and ‘ Anvil Chorus ’, as well as ‘ Dido ’ s Lament ’ by Purcell and Wagner ’ s ‘ Bridal Chorus ’ tackled by the Choral Society , to Renaissance masterpieces such as Tallis ’ s Sancte Deus and Pearsall ’ s ‘ Lay a Garland ’, performed by the Sennocke Consort . The almost two-hour concert , featuring an orchestra and two phenomenal soloists , as well as a plethora of choirs , was highly praised by everyone who attended . To me , singing in those choirs and bringing classical music to life with equally passionate peers , and having the opportunity to sing in different languages and watch remarkably skilled professionals perform alongside us , was a unique experience . However , I cannot begin to imagine the absolute feat of organisation this must have involved – I would like to thank Mr Harvey , Mr Dyer , Mr Wey and Ms Day , as well as many others , without whom that concert would not have been possible .
In summary , over this past year , and thanks to efforts of both students and staff involved , choral music at Sevenoaks has thrived , with more students singing than ever before . We have come a long way from the hurdle of Covid-19 , which required students to sing in masks when Choral Society resumed , to now witnessing the ever-growing choral community at Sevenoaks conclude yet another year of success and triumph .
Camilla Savelieva , Year 11
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2023-2024 53