Chamber Concert

The Music Department at St Bede's Senior School continues to establish itself as one of the most innovative and individual departments in the South East.

On Wednesday, 10th February 2010, we heard what is to become a great St Bede's tradition: chamber music in a wide variety of forms. Chamber music as an art form is one of the most challenging and refined arts to do well: in forming an ensemble, students must learn to listen to each other, sometimes play against each other and above all, unify as a group. All styles were covered. Andrew Barclay, Director of Music, introduced the evening by welcoming everyone to the library, an appropriate setting for a concert such as this.

The evening opened with Mozart's commanding Divertimento in B flat, K.254, played by the Senior Piano Trio Sophie Booth, Hannah Savignon-Smythe and Robert Scamardella, Pianist-in-Residence. This was a fine opening fanfare; the students played with verve, style and commitment. The evening's serenade also included drinks and canapes, creating an 'at home' atmosphere where people could relax and listen throughout the evening. A range of outstanding solos also featured. Roger Pezzutto gave us a technically flawless interpretation of Poulenc's haunting Flute Sonata; Rebecca Foxwell sang Rodgers and Hammerstein's If I Loved You from Carousel; Rebecca Chan held us all in suspense as she performed Ravel's Sonatine written at the beginning of the Twentieth century. Sophie Booth sang with stylish and poetic conviction in an arrangement of her own of Purcell's Ah, Belinda from Dido & Aeneas.

Every year group was given a platform with which to demonstrate their fine ensemble skills: Molly Grozier led superbly in Paul Harris's Flute, Clarinet and Piano trio; Zachary Kahn and Oliver Hermann played with flair and sophistication in Telemann's Concerto in A minor. The evening finished with a stunning interpretation of Clara Schumann's rarely heard Piano Trio, Op. 17, ending what was a delightful and above all, high standard concert.

The Music Department has given its students a taste of the professional world of the musician this term: a whole range of concerts, both informal and formal, every week. There surely cannot be a better education for young people than this to have the chance to work in this way.