2014 Boys' School Music Showcase
2014 Boys' School Music Showcase
November 19, 2014 at 3:53 PM
In a first for the Boys’ School, visitors to this morning’s Music Showcase were greeted by emerging pipers and drummers as the School begins its journey to creating its own Pipe Band. David Allan, resplendent in tartan, took the lead on the pipes along with six boys on the snare drums. Their teachers, Old Collegians, William Tremlett on the pipes and Matthew McQueen on the drums, were there to support their first group performance.
The Music Showcase is the culmination of a year of music lessons, practising and performances for the boys and features our very best musicians. The boys who played were selected through an audition process to perform in front of a large audience of students, staff, parents and invited guests.
Director of Music, Mrs Janet Grierson said the purpose of the morning was threefold. Firstly, it’s a competition to determine the best soloist on each instrument. Secondly, it gives the younger boys an overview of the instruments that they might like to learn as they progress through the School. And finally, for those whose musical journey as just begun, they can see the different ensembles and begin to think about where they might like to fit in.
The Symphonic Orchestra, comprising beginner and more experienced players opened with the popular, ‘Gonna Fly Now,’ from the movie ‘Rocky.’ We were then treated to polished individual performances across a broad range of piano, violin and wind and string instruments.
Amongst the talented solo musicians, a variety of groups also presented their pieces including the the jazz combo, flute ensemble, recorder groups and clarinet quartet, with the Jazz Band closing with this year’s signature piece, Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’
Principal, Mr Peter Cassie congratulated the players who had stretched to reach the top and were chosen to play today. He also thanked the players right behind who were pushing just as hard to keep the standards high. He paid tribute to our graduating Year 8’s for all they have done for our music groups. Whilst they will leave a hole, we know we have equally great talent coming through the ranks to fill those places and keep the programme incredibly strong. Mr Cassie also thanked the parents for supporting their boys and encouraging their practice, ‘In music, you have given them a gift for life.’
