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schools was excellent; all performances were sold out.
year, no doubt with even bigger productions in mind.
There were two musical productions this year,
39
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Music
under the leadership of Ben Greenslade Stanton. From
The Lent term also featured the annual Picton Play,
Competitions in recent years, sadly we were unable to
the Christmas concert to St John’s Smith Square, from the
the first being Jesus Christ, Superstar, featuring some
which this year was One Flew over the Cukoos Nest superbly
enter any of the local ones this year due to calendar
Minibus concert to Eve of Speech Day, they have performed
exceptional
from
directed by Freddie Fielding. The Picton House have proven
clashes. Our two internal competitions were of note:
to a very high standard, and with Gina Kuschke [Ap] on
Gudjon Bodvarrson [Bn], Isabelle Wilkinson [O] and
themselves to be a group of massively talented actors
the Montgomery Competition produced performing of
vocals, have begun to progress forward to develop their
Jack Manser [Hn]. The second was A Chorus Line, a
and directors a nd this year’s production was an excellent
outstanding quality and the House Singing Competition
styles and improvisation. Other ensembles that have made
landmark production in the sense that it was the first
showcase for their talents.
involved the whole school in a huge evening of fun in the
an impact have been two close harmony groups, called the
Sports hall.
‘b naturals’ and ‘On a different note’, who have performed
student
performances,
namely
time the Dance department has publicity collaborated
with Drama and Music.
Dance was once again at the forefront of perform-
Having
been
particularly
successful
in
Chorus Line featured some
ing arts at Wellington. Head of Dance Pandy Dean has
The Montgomery was
at a number of events, from
exceptional dancing, singing and acting from its young
masterminded a number of excellent Dance performances
adjudicated by Ben Parry
the Arts fest to a wonderful
cast, including Amber Coleman [Hn], James Ellis [L] and
throughout the year, culminating in the annual Dance Show,
(Director
sing-off in the V&A.
Maddie Henri [C], all in their first leading roles. This
which once again, was entirely sold out. It proved another
Royal Academy of Music)
In December, Angels
was also the farewell production from student director
excellent example of the phenomenal achievements in all
and featured Stephanie Tress
returned with a choir from
Felix Cook [T], who goes on to Harvard University next
areas of the performing arts this year. Sarah Spencer
[O], Richard Bignall [Bn],
Tigerkloof,
Jonathan Leon [Bl], Trishan
Again, the chapel choir sung
Vaikunthanathan [Hl], Nick
with the choir and Gina
Jupp [Bd], Ji Hyan Park [Ap]
Kuschke also sang a song
and Anton Crayton [Wn].
with backing singers from
The standard of pieces was
their choir. This was a re-
very
markably successful evening,
?????
T
his year has seen further progress with music at
was impressed and it seemed the right time to state
Wellington. Not only have the performances
our intentions for the future. Within the next 5 years,
continued to provide pleasure and impress, but
Wellington College’s music will develop to be one of the
the Department has further developed as a team, increasingly
top non-specialist departments in the country.
involving students in its organisation and leadership. I feel
However, we actually already have our own specialist
confident that music will develop further—the quality of
scheme. Pupils who display an interest in music as a career
music scholars has always been
are given the opportunity to find
excellent, but there seem to be
time to practise, a programme
more applying for awards
being created to allow them to
This year has seen the
develop quickly, all this within the
development of our connection
framework of a normal school
with
working day. Masterclasses and
the
London
Mozart
Players—a relationship that will
other
develop into the future. We saw
are created for them, along
a Masterclass with the orchestra
with platforms to perform to
and a stunning concert at the
beginning of the Arts Fest 2009
with
Anton
Crayton
[Wn]
Simon Williamson, Ji Hyun Park, Anton Crayton, Steph Tress,
Oliver King, Jonny Leon, Xavier Iles, Nick Jupp, Richard Bignall,
Trishan Vaikunthanathan, Ben Parry
specific
opportunities
the highest possible standard.
Masterclasses took place
with Remus Azoitei (professor
c major cello concerto. Next year
at the Royal Academy of Music and international violinist),
there are further planned masterclasses and concerts—this
Roderick Williams (international baritone), Gordon Giltrap
is a very exciting time for the development of both our
(international guitarist) and Emma Johnson (international
orchestra and for the instrumentalists. Under Hilary Davan
clarinettist).
Wetton’s directorship, the Orchestra continues to improve
teachers, I am determined that the opportunities for
and their performances this year have been outstanding.
instrumental teaching at Wellington are very high indeed.
playing the Haydn
Along with our excellent team of visiting
St John’s Smith Square on the 1st May was an excellent
To support Prep school pupils we had three events: an
showcase of Wellington’s music-making: with the Jazz
Orchestral day led by Hilary Davan Wetton, a Brass Attack day
Orchestra playing as well as the Orchestra and Chapel
led by Torbjörn Hultmark and a Choral Day led by Lissa Grey.
Choir. The Master, along with the 350 in the audience,
All three were well attended and considered very successful.
of
the
high—the
Rhapsodie
by
Junior
Première
Debussy
for example or Sarasate’s
South
Africa.
raising money and supporting
Dylan Quinlivan-Brewer, Lizzie Robinson, Ben Bowtell, Beau Wyatt,
Kashan Vaikunthanathan, Hugo Bennett, Gareth Price
Caprice Basque contrasted
these underprivileged children, giving us the opportu-
with Billy Mayerl’s Rail Road Rhythm and an excellent
nity to perform with them. Our drummers also performed
arrangement of Gershwin’s Summertime for cello. There
and with the help of Ray Smith, our Head of Percussion,
was some wonderful unaccompanied playing—Cassadó’s
they learnt to communicate through music and rhythm.
solo suite, Kodály’s Sonata opus 8 and Bach’s solo Partita in
There have been two musicals that have rehearsed
e were featured and some atmospheric singing came from
throughout the year: Jesus Christ Superstar and Chorus
Richard Bignall. However, Anton Crayton was the worthy
Line. The quality and professionalism of the students has
winner, communicating effectively with the audience and
been staggering with a real desire to perform to their
playing with great musicality.
highest ability. As always, picking out individuals from
The House Singing Competition was a splendid evening
large casts is difficult, but it is useful to mention Jack
involving all houses preparing a song according to a given
Manser [Hn], Gudjon Bodvarsson [Bn], Izzy Wilinson
theme (boy and girl bands). With backing trac ks and dance
[O], Richard Bignall [Bn] and Polly Watson [Ap]. The
routines, three judges, a compère (Lucy Pearson), lighting,
Music Department’s relationship with the Drama
staging and a real sense of fun, the evening was of extremely
Department continues to develop and there are more
high quality. The winners (The Benson) performed a well-
plans for musicals next year.
rehearsed close harmony version of I want it that way by the
Backstreet Boys.
One initiative this year was a Third Form project with
The second year of the Arts fest was a huge success
with many music events taking place. The highlight of the
week was Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, directed by Graham
the English Department, entitled Music & Myth which saw
Nurser and conducted by Hilary Davan Wetton.
each class perform a play (after Ovid) and sing a composition
performances by Holy Lyne (Dido [Ap]) and Richard
created within class music lessons. The class compositions
Bignall (Aeneas [Bn]) with Hattie Jones (Belinda [Hn]) were
were highly successful and one song even ended up on a
exceptional: this was school music-making of a very high
Radio 4 programme later on in the term !
standard indeed and both performances were packed to
The Wellington Jazz Orchestra has been very busy
capacity with enthusiastic audiences.
The