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Music Department - an introduction
The Music Department plays a key role in the life of the School and enjoys a high reputation for the excellence and variety of its music. All pupils are encouraged to take part and get involved, and there are performing opportunities, both solo and ensemble, to cater for all abilities and musical tastes.
Performance is seen as an important part of learning an instrument or singing and there are regular concerts throughout the year, from informal lunchtime concerts to the more formal concerts and whole-school events such as Founder’s Day and the Carol Service.
Visiting specialist staff provide individual music lessons, and the School provides opportunities for pupils to play and sing in the many choral and instrumental ensembles on offer.
The department has a growing reputation in the local community for being a school with a very strong musical tradition.
A magical Autumn Term in the Senior School Music Department
Autumn Colours Music Recital Evening
Solo musicians from all year groups at the Senior School performed a wide variety of musical styles and genres, many of the musicians performed their ABRSM and GCSE examination pieces. It was a wonderful evening of musical entertainment.
King Edward’s School boy chosen for voice of Bath Philharmonia’s ‘Walking in the Air’
Harry Clark, Year 8, was selected to sing ‘Walking in the Air’, the theme song to the 1982 animated film The Snowman in the Bath Philharmonia’s Christmas production of The Snowman at the Forum. Artistic Director, Jason Thornton, was responsible for selecting Harry from the numerous candidates who took part in the auditions.
Congratulations to India Raynes
India remains a member of the U13 National Children’s Orchestra, playing viola, having successfully auditioned for the third year running.
King Edward’s Brass Group raise money for Rotary Club charities
Pupils from King Edward’s School’s Brass group performed outside Bath Abbey on Tuesday 6th December delighting the crowds of Christmas shoppers and raising money for local charities in association with Bath Rotary Club. Over £200 was raised in just two hours, a wonderful achievement.
Senior Choir carol singing delights residents at the Empire Building
King Edward’s Senior Choir performed highlights from the forthcoming Carol Service to residents of the Empire on Tuesday 6th December. The KES Sixteen Choir opened proceedings by singing their first carol from the top floor landing. The initial sound, which reverberated around the building, sounded completely magical. For residents too frail to come downstairs, it was lovely to be able to bring the music closer to them. The Senior Choir led the assembled throng in congregational carols with Lottie Phillips, Year 8, singing the opening solo verse in ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ followed by. Arvo Pärt’s - Bogoroditse Djevo, the dance like energy of the Sussex Carol arranged by Sir David Willcocks and the rhythmically electrifying, A Babe is Born by William Mathias.
Annual Carol Service in Bath Abbey
The Carol Service on Tuesday 13th December was once again one of the main highlights of the Autumn Term calendar. The Service opened with a resonant performance of Vivaldi's challenging Double Trumpet Concerto RV 537 led by our two lead trumpets, Anthony Ashby and Dan Wray supported by the Baroque Group. KES Sixteen performing Palestrina's Matin Responsary. The Sixteen’s procession to the choir stalls was introduced by the solo verse of Once in Royal David's City, which this year was beautifully sung by Bianca Watts. The Senior Choir led the congregation in the carols; It came upon a Midnight Clear, Unto us is Born a Son, While Shepherd's Watched Their Flocks by Night, Silent Night and of course, Hark the Herald and O come, all ye faithful, adding a beautiful descant to each which was stunning and performed David Willcocks arrangement of the Sussex Carol, the rhythmically exciting A Babe is Born by William Mathias, and in the climatic part of the service, Bogoroditse Djevo by Arvo Pärt. During the quieter middle part of the service they performed two beautiful movements from Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols. The first was There is No Rose sung by Connie Hardwick, Hannah Bostock and Claire Bowman accompanied by Bianca Watts on the Harp, followed by Bianca's harp solo, Interlude. KES Sixteen sang a world premiere of A Song, A Chime written by Mr Mark Boden, our new music teacher and resident composer, for the Carol Service conducted by Mr Shean Bowers, Assistant Director of Music & Choral Director for Schools at Bath Abbey. The piece made the most of the acoustics of Bath Abbey and was an outstanding success. The service was finished off by the Senior Choir processing out singing the plainchant Recession from Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols. As they moved between the congregation with their candles flickering and then exited through the west end doors into the cold night that surrounded the Christmas tree in the courtyard, the atmosphere of wonder was palpable. Mr Phil Weaver's fine performance of the Organ Voluntary by Saint-Saëns provided a beautiful conclusion to the service.
I would very much like to pass on our thanks to all the many fine KES musicians and staff who worked so hard to produce such a fabulous Carol Service again this year.
Mr Rupert Drury,
Director of Music
King Edward’s School musicians selected for the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.
Congratulations to India Raynes (Y8) and Emma Jones (Y6) who have both won places in the National Children’s Orchestra (NCO).
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India, a Year 8 student at King Edward’s Senior School, has successfully auditioned for the third year running and remains a member of the U13 Orchestra playing the Viola. She is working towards her Grade 8 viola exam and is taking Grade 7 piano in the spring. India is taught viola by Professor Robert Turrell from the Royal Academy of Music and is lucky enough to have an instrument on loan from the Royal College of Music.
In the past year, India has performed with the NCO at the Brighton Dome, Birmingham Town Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank in London, as well as spending 16 nights on residential courses.
At KES, India plays in the Senior Orchestra, the Baroque Group and also the Advanced String Quintet.
Emma Jones, Year 6, at King Edward’s Junior School has won a place in the U12 Orchestra playing the cello. Emma is working towards Grade 6 exams on both cello and piano, and she also fits in the time to learn the cornet! This will be Emma’s first year with the NCO and she is looking forward to the courses enormously.
In the Junior School, Emma plays in the Orchestra, Wind Band, String Group, Cello Group and the String Quartet.
The NCO was formed in 1978 and brings together hundreds of talented 7 – 13 year olds across from across the country offering them a life-changing experience during which they will meet like-minded people and receive tuition from top musicians. This year saw a record number of children auditioning, with almost 1000 fighting for a coveted place in one of the five age banded orchestras.
Congratulations also go to Xavier Raynes who is currently on the reserve list for the U11Orchestra. He has been invited to join as an Associate Member which is for a small group of children who were of the correct standard, but there just weren’t enough places. There are only four places for the bassoon in the whole country in his age group so to be first reserve is actually quite exciting and a hugely successful achievement. Xavier will also be able to audition next year for the same age group orchestra (as he is still only nine!) and plays the piano as well. Xavier has also been invited to attend the Orchestra’s South West regional rehearsals every month with India and Emma.
Senior Choir carol singing delights residents at the Empire Building
King Edward’s Senior Choir performed highlights from the forthcoming Carol Service to residents of the Empire on Tuesday 6th December.
Over 60 pupils assembled up the sweeping staircase at the Empire to sing to a highly appreciative audience.
Notable highlights included;
The KES Sixteen Choir opened proceedings by singing their first carol from the top floor landing. The initial sound, which reverberated around the building, sounded completely magical. For residents too frail to come downstairs, it was lovely to be able to bring the music closer to them.
The Senior Choir led the assembled throng in congregational carols with Lottie Philips, Year 8, singing the opening solo verse in ‘Once in Royal David’s City’.
Arvo Pärt’s - Bogoroditsye Dyeve, the dance like energy of the Sussex Carol arranged by Sir David Wilcocks and the rhythmically electrifying, A Babe is Born by William Mathias.
King Edward’s School’s Director of Music commented:
“This was a hugely successful performance and it was delightful to be told by many of the residents that this was ‘the best ever!’ ”
“We would like to thank everyone at the Empire for inviting us, for the wonderful buffet that was laid on for the choristers afterwards, and for the very generous gift of £100 which will go towards Music Department projects. We hope to be back again next year!”
King Edward’s Brass Group raise money for Rotary Club charities
Pupils from King Edward’s School’s Brass group performed outside Bath Abbey on Tuesday 6th December raising money for local charities in association with Bath Rotary Club.
The Brass ensemble played a wide variety of Carols and famous Christmas melodies, delighting the crowds of Christmas shoppers in the centre of Bath.
King Edward’s School’s Director of Music, Rupert Drury said:
“After last year’s wind, snow and biting cold, it was fabulous for King Edward’s School’s Brass Group to perform in glorious sunshine. Within a few bars, passers-by were stopping and donating. Within fifteen minutes, we had over £50!”
“A supportive and highly appreciative audience gathered around and clapped enthusiastically whenever we stopped playing, and at least 30 or so of the general public remained for nearly the whole two hour performance.”
King Edward’s School’s Brass Group would like to thank:
The generous people who donated during our performance. Over £200 was raised for local charities in just two hours, a wonderful achievement.
Starbucks, who so kindly donated hot chocolate to warm up the whole Brass group. Such a treat, thank you!
Mr Jon Griffin for all his hard work preparing the ensemble in their rehearsals.
