The recent Orchestral and Strings Concert was a joyful celebration of music-making across the school, bringing together students from the earliest stages of their musical journeys to some of our most accomplished senior performers. Featuring ensembles from Infants through to Year 13, the evening highlighted not only a wide range of repertoire and instrumental groups, but also the clear musical pathways available to students as they develop their skills and confidence. Director of Music, Rob Hall, tells us more.

The concert opened in impressive style with the Chamber Orchestra, directed by Mr Baxter. Their performance of the first movement from Schubert’s Quartet No. 14 in D minor, Death and the Maiden, set an assured and expressive tone for the evening. Drawn from some of the strongest string players across the Junior and Senior Schools, the ensemble demonstrated the musical maturity that students can aspire to as they progress. 

From there, the evening moved through a vibrant and varied selection of ensembles. The String Sinfonietta, directed by Ms Knight Lucas, delivered a powerful performance of the Theme from Battlefield 1942, capturing the intensity and sweeping drama of the well-known video game soundtrack. In contrast, the Junior Guitar Ensemble, led by Mr Remi Francis, brought warmth and lyricism with Manuel Galbán’s Cuban bolero La Luna en tu Mirada, their playing highlighting the expressive possibilities of the guitar in an ensemble setting. 

Several ensembles showcased the early stages of musical development within the school. The Sostenuto Strings, under the direction of Head of Strings, Mr Chu, performed a fun and imaginative March of the Astronauts, while the Harp Ensemble, directed by Ms Prinatalia, added a moment of charm and sparkle with Skating on Ice. A particularly heart-warming moment came from the Beginner Strings, some of the school’s youngest and newest instrumentalists, who impressed the audience with their enthusiastic performance of Fast Lane and Popcorn. Their focus and confidence on stage were a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm with which they have embraced their first steps in ensemble music-making. 

The String Camerata’s exhilarating performance of Wheels of Fury was full of driving rhythms and cinematic flair. The Cello Ensemble, directed by Ms Shan, followed with a vibrant arrangement of ABBA’s Mamma Mia!, demonstrating the rich, warm sound of the cello when played together in a group. 

The Senior Guitar Ensemble, under Ms Owain, was in fine fettle performing two contrasting favourites: the gentle and evocative El Cóndor Pasa, conjuring images of the Andean mountains, followed by Toto’s much-loved Africa, whose familiar melody and rhythmic groove brought a real sense of fun to the programme. 

The Symphony Orchestra then brought the scale and colour of a full ensemble to the stage, performing with energy and flair the music from two iconic video game worlds: Gerudo Valley from The Legend of Zelda and the main theme from Super Mario Bros. 

For the finale, 145 players from across several ensembles joined together in a special combined orchestra conducted by Mr Zhao to perform Ride of the Dullahan. With younger musicians sitting alongside more experienced players, the performance perfectly captured the collaborative spirit of the evening. 

Above all, the concert celebrated a thriving musical community - one in which students are supported, inspired and challenged at every stage of their journey. For younger performers in particular, the evening offered a glimpse of the exciting musical opportunities that lie ahead. 

Here are some photos of the event: