ALAN SIMMONS WORKSHOP
S. Anselm's Performing Arts Week kicked off in energetic style with a series of Choral Workshops given by Alan Simmons, a prolific composer and performer. He has written a lot of music for children of Prep School age, and worked on some songs from a series called "Olympics", written in 2003 for the Olympic Games in Athens, and now having a revival in time for London 2012.
All pupils in years 3 to 8 were involved in a one-hour workshop which was high-energy and fast-moving and focused on the strength and stamina needed for the marathon, the focus and momentum needed for the sprint, and the teamwork required in the rowing (the only event, as pointed out by Alan, that requires you to cross the line backwards!).
All the pupils enjoyed the workshops and it helped to build up to the day's big event...
INTERHOUSE MUSIC COMPETITION
Congratulations to Churchills, who became the 1st winners of the S.Anselm's Interhouse Music Competition. They beat off stiff opposition from Pitts, Wellingtons and Nelson, but ruled supreme in what was a very entertaining and lively event.
The first round, consisting of instrumental performances of "Star Wars" saw Ella N on the clarinet for Churchills, a clarinet duet from Annabel GP and Lily S for Nelsons, an unaccompanied performance by Lucy R for Pitts, and a trio of Alex T (clarinet), Nancy S (keyboard) and Amelia W (trumpet) for Wellingtons.
Round 2 required the houses to perform their own choice of song. Performances of songs from Queen, Florence and the Machine, Alice Cooper and Toploader impressed the audience but made the Headmaster question the music that the pupils were subjected to at home! There were solos galore and some good, hearty unison singing from all.
In the third round, the houses to perform their own choice instrumental piece, involving any number of performers. Pitts put forward a lovely guitar duet from Andrew C and Jonathan D called 'Spanish Romance'. Lewis S played an unaccompanied performance of "I Vow to Thee my Country" on the cello for Wellingtons. Churchills, with their house music captain off poorly, found a late replacement in Roxane B (piano), accompanied very ably by Ella N (triangle) in a performance of a Waltz by Schubert. Considering the fact that Roxane only found on Monday morning that she was to play, it was a very impressive performance. Finally, Alice S and Georgina H, representing Nelsons, performed 'I Vow to Thee my Country' on their flutes.
The final round saw all houses do a performance of Alan Simmons' 'Pop Idol'.
After a short parents competition (which really must be better next year!), the winners were announced and the cup awarded by Mr Northcott.
Well done to all performers, and to the music house captains / vice captains in particular - a superb event.
DRAMA WORKSHOP
All pupils in years 3 and 4 had a Drama Workshop on Tuesday with Fiona from Babbling Vagabonds Theatre Company in Bakewell.
UPDATE: 10am on Friday 15 October
The week, raising money for More to Life and Cancer Research UK has currently raised £510.
Last week's Practice-a-thon has currently raised £208 for the Chesterfield Music Festival.
Posted on
Tue, October 12, 2010
by JPW