Over 150 students from Years 7-13 have been busy rehearsing to perform at St John’s Autumn Concert, Theatre on the Hill on Thursday 23 November. Open to family and friends, the programme is an eclectic mix of classical, jazz, folk and popular music, from Beethoven to Bernstein and Handel to Take That!
A large variety of different groups will participate: the Jazz Band, Chamber Choir, Senior and Junior Clarinet Ensembles, Orchestra, and Lower School Choir.
The Jazz Band are in demand and will also be playing at 5pm at the Christmas Lights Event in Marlborough High Street on Friday 1 December.
A new addition to the concert this year is the Folk Group comprising of strings and an accordion, run by parent, Graham Edmondson. The dedicated students in this group rehearse each week before school.
“Students learn a wide range of instruments at St. John’s: piano, drums, guitar, singing, flute, clarinet, sax, brass, violin, viola and cello. We have a large number of peripatetic teachers who come into school,” explained Holly Kenvin, Head of Music. “Most of the students also take the exams offered by Trinity College or the Associated Board of Music.”
The concerts, and St John’s hold another in the Spring term, give students a chance to enjoy playing together and to perform in front of an audience.
Students also have the chance to enter the two annual music competitions: the Stedman Cup (senior students) and Savernake Cup (lower school students).
It’s a busy term for the music department who are also preparing for the Christmas Carol Concert in St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 19 December at 7 pm. GCSE and A-Level Music students will be singing at this event, together with performances from a trombone trio, the orchestra and both choirs.
Preparations are also in place for a joint Music/Drama Department production of “Annie” in February next year. So far over 100 enthusiastic students are involved. More details to follow……..
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