Autumn Concert
Published on isbi School News dated Thursday 1st of December 2022
It was fantastic to be back in St Cuthbert's for our first Autumn Concert this decade!Despite a long and arid musical spell, Fettes musicians were ready to inspire and entertain the large, enthusiastic audience.
To open, and under Mr Watson's baton, the Concert Orchestra presented the Title Track from the 2012 James Bond film, Skyfall and followed that with "Disco Lives”; a medley of toe-tapping tunes comprising Stayin' Alive, I will Survive and the dance-floor classic, YMCA; the only challenge being keeping the audience from joining in with the ubiquitous actions.
The Flute Choir gave its debut performance with a rendition of Haydn's St. Anthony Chorale and the Flute Quartet, an arrangement of Hushabye Mountain from the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The concert also gave opportunities for some chamber music, too, as Jakob A, Nanami M and Fergus P presented the 1st Movt. of Beethoven's Piano Trio in C minor”(Op. 1 No. 3). We also enjoyed some soloists, as Pippa McN sang Notre Armour by Fauré with great delivery, and a rendition of the much-loved and well-known Irish song, Danny Boy.
To complete the first half, Jakob A took to the stage once more and wowed the crowd with an energetic and virtuosic performance of the 1st Movt of Kabalevsky’s Violin Concerto.
The Chapel Choir began the second half performing Duruflé’s Ubi Caritas in true, human surround-sound formation, encircling the audience for a special and unique delivery, making the very most of the special acoustic in the St. Cuthbert’s sanctuary. Accompanied by Mr Bertram on the organ, they then sang Greater Love hath no Man and finished with ‘O How Glorious’ .
Samuel J took us to another place with a captivating piece, appropriately named – Big Band Sounds by Nikolai Kapustin. To conclude, the Concert Choir sang five choruses from two musicals - Godspell and Children of Eden.
This concert had it all - technical mastery and skill, great ensemble playing, emotional engagement and communication as well as a sense of fun and enjoyment for performers and audience alike.