Thursday 16th November marked our annual Junior Concert in the Seldon Hall. The Seldon Hall, with its famous white ‘mushrooms’ hanging off the high ceiling projected the sound of the brass, strings and woodwind across the audience.
Throughout the evening, 3 Year 7 soloists performed as well as the string quartet. Mr Osmond described the soloists as “extraordinary” and “not all scholars but phenomenal musicians”.
After a very warm welcome from Mr Osmond, the concert began with our first performers.
First to perform on this bitter winter evening was the Junior Guitar Orchestra. They played three beautiful pieces conducted by HABS’s very own guitar guru, Ms U. Galuszka: Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks, Melancolico by M Ricciardo and Cops Mundo by N. Walker
Second to perform was William Heselton who played an outstanding Saxophone solo. He played Concertino for Alto Saxophone by J.B Singlee.
Our third performance of the evening was a Violin Solo performed by Fraser Hauser. The harmonious sound of the violin filled the hall as Fraser played Meditation from Thais by Massenet.
Next to perform was our Junior Big Band directed by Christopher Redfern. The band, consisting of trumpets, saxophones, trombones, the drum kit, piano and double bass played Surfing Sprouts. The audience bobbed their heads to the rhythm as the Junior Big Band performed for the first time! Furthermore, each boy within the band played a fantastic solo each!
We were then treated to yet another phenomenal Violin Solo by Christopher Pigott who was playing Sonatensatz (Scherzo from F.A.E. Sonata) by Brahms.
After an amazing performance from Christopher, the Wind Sinfonia, conducted by Daisy O’Hare, played the Seven Nation Army by White Stripes which powered sound waves across the hall captivating the audience in the piece.
After the interval, the FT band played The Rainbow Connection by Paul Williams, conducted by Steven Byron.
Next, Sam Newman played a solo on the Piano. The grace of the piece mesmerised the audience as they drifted off into Cloche des Matines by Burgmüller.
After a wonderful performance by Sam Newman, the String Orchestra played The Foggy Dew by Irish Trad. as well as Old Joe Clarke by American Trad. conducted by Caroline Maguire. The soft texture of the violins, violas, cellos and double bases echoed throughout the hall.
Yet again, the audience was treated to another solo, however, this time on the Clarinet. Clarinet Sonata Movt. 1 by Poulenc was performed exceptionally well by Sameer Aiyar-Majeed.
Following an astonishing performance from Sameer Aiyar-Majeed, the Junior Percussion Ensemble performed Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes, directed by Jonathan Ormston. Their tunes were so contagious that the audience were swaying and dancing to the music!
Following what was arguably the liveliest performance of the evening as of yet was an “extra item” in Mr Osmond’s words. This gentleman is one of the top 25 pianists in the country and is currently participating in the Young Musician of the Year competition. Harjivan Singh played a breath-taking piece followed by a massive, well deserved round of applause from the audience. “Captivated”, “astonishing”, and “gobsmacked” were just a few of the words that audience members used to describe the way Harjivan performed this evening.
To follow an outstanding performance, the Junior String Quartet played Quartet in C Major (First movt.). Christopher Pigott, Thomas Ng and Alexander Taylor played beyond beautifully on the violins whilst Aidan Cham played ever so elegantly on the cello.
Finally, to conclude what had been a concert to never forget, the Big Band 2 performed in all their glory and might. They played Big Mama Cass by Buddy Rich which was originally Directed by Matt Herd but this evening was conducted by Andy Simm, director of the world renowned HABS Big Band.
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