Small Ensemble Showcase
Small Ensemble Showcase
June 02, 2015 at 10:23 AM
From Schubert to Bach, Saint-Saens, Schumann and Bizet, our finest jazz and classical musicians came together last week to showcase their work at this year’s Small Ensemble Showcase. Ten groups, playing on instruments as varied as violin, flute, saxophone, trumpet, cello and piano, entertained with a broad range of musical items.
The Showcase was timed to give students a final opportunity to perform to an audience in preparation for this week’s 2015 New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest to be held at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre at Epsom Girls Grammar School. (See below.) Presented annually by Chamber Music New Zealand, it is the longest running youth music competition in New Zealand and the only nationwide chamber music competition for young secondary school musicians and composers in the country.
The Showcase was a wonderful evening of music, highlighting some of our most talented musicians.
It is fair to say that Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band are the showpieces of the College instrumental programme, but the Chamber Ensembles are the true ‘engine room.’ Chamber ensembles comprise between three to eight musicians, usually with only one person on each part and they are not conducted. Relying on a high level of musical communication and intense preparation, there is nowhere for the chamber musician to hide. Subsequently the onus is on the students to not only play their part but to integrate seamlessly with others. This takes some practice and is a challenge in the early stages but by last Thursday night’s concert, we were witness to some very polished performances.
We now wish the selected groups all the best for their competition later this week!
Our sincere thanks…
Our sincere thanks to Mr Gilmour for organising a fabulous evening of music and to all of the tutors who have worked with the students to prepare for last night’s concert and the upcoming competition: Mr Paul Norman, Mr Tim Carpenter, Mrs Karen Middleton, Mrs Siobhan Gerritsen, Miss Gracie Francis, Ms Miranda Hutton, Mrs Katherine Hebley, Mr Doug Cross, Ms Elizabeth Lau, Mr Matthew Bakerand Mr Ross Gerritsen.
2015 CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION THIS WEEK!
Venue: Ray Freedman Theatre, Epsom Girls’ Grammar School, Epsom
Our Chamber Ensemble groups will be competing in this competition to be held at Epsom Girls Grammar School on Wednesday and Thursday this week. They would love your support. The list below show the block of time during which each group will perform along with a number of other competitors.
WEDNESDAY 3RD JUNE
3.00pm - 4.30pm: Faure Piano Trio, Lotsa Flutes
5.00pm - 6.30pm: SKC Sax Ensemble, Tartan Trio
THURSDAY 4TH JUNE
9.00am - 10.30am: Trilogy, Spielermädchen, Fishy Business, Heavy Metal
11.00am - 12.30pm: The Saint Kentigern Trio, E G Trio, 45 Fingers
THE COLLEGE MUSIC CENTRE
The Music Centre at the College is a constant hive of activity. At 7am each weekday morning, the doors of the Music Centre open and fantastic music making begins. Each week, at the height of the year, 400 lessons are delivered weekly by 35 outstanding itinerant teachers, while over 30 ensembles rehearse all kinds of music for the various, concerts, competitions and assessments that keep our students busy. With four choirs, five large ensembles, six rock bands, nine chamber groups, two pipe bands, two show orchestras, a chapel band and three jazz combos all rehearsing weekly, the Music Centre is a very busy place! It is wonderful to see so many young people engaged by music.
