'Summer Serenade' - June 29th 2010

Date: Tuesday 29 June 2010

What another fabulous evening in the annals of St Edmund's School musicmaking! As Will Bersey reached the end of his first year at the School, and paid fulsome and well deserved tribute to Dr Richard Braddy, reaching the end of his 19th, and about to depart into the Anglican priesthood, a full hall sweltered in the heat of a June summer evening, and admired, once again, the sheer quality of the musicians who entertained them so royally.

C.P.E.Bach's 'Fanfare for the Roast' was an absolutely apposite introduction to the Symphony Orchestra who dived straight into Wagner's 'Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg', and pulled together the various strands and themes of a challenging work into a climactic finale. Steve Wassell may have been amongst those absent, but his tradition was exemplified by the Brass Ensemble who gave us not one sea shanty - 'Drunken Sailor' - but three, under the baton of Mr Bersey himself.

On an evening in honour of ARB,there had to be some Elgar, and the retiring Head of Strings took to the podium to guide his String Orchestra, under the leadership of John Bungay, through Elgar's 'Serenade for Strings', with its typically English melodies, and langourous second movement - played, as instructed, larghetto. Dr Braddy then moved smartly to his position in the revitalised Chapel Choir, now 50-strong, and losing only seven at the end of the year, to present two traditional spirituals, arranged by Messrs Chilcott and Hart respectively. 'All My Trials', and 'Deep River'. Beautiful singing from a beautifully balanced outfit, and showcasing the three senior leavers, Sophie Belinfante, Ellie Blanning, and Jessica White Pearson.

The first half ended with, for me, one of the highlights of the whole show, the return of the Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Spencer Payne, and two 'chestnuts' of the repertoire, two of Dvorak's 'Slavonic Dances' played with passion, energy, and precision. Superb! And, after a 20-minute break for very necessary refreshment, the orchestra completed its set with the hauntingly beautiful melodies of Butterworth's little known piece. 'The Banks of Green Willow', which allowed cameo solos from the ubiquitous George Inscoe (clarinet), Guy Steed (harp), Seth Scott Deuchar (flute) and Miss White Pearson (flute and piccolo).

The XII, sorry - the XI, who may next year become the XVI, the new Jazz Choir, weaved their way through the complex arrangements of 'Summertime', 'Over the Rainbow', and 'Scarborough Fayre', with tenor solos from Mr Inscoe - I said he was verging on the ubiquitous! - and Joel Whitewood. They gave way to the Big Band, and Ross Underwood's return to three of their best known pieces, delivered tightly, and giving the soloists to show off their virtuosity and improvisational skills. Tom Vafidis, Freddy White, Cameron Dawson, Seth Scott Deuchar, Peter Edlin, and - yes - George Inscoe were all featured on their saxophones, guitars, drums and piano.

The evening concluded with a second outing for the Chapel Choir, and an insight into the future, as, after the inspirational 'Irish Blessing', Hannele Lewis-Anthony and Faye Moulsdale were given the solos in Aretha Franklin's 'Say a Little Prayer'. And impressive they were! I have to say that the final item was the showstopper - and it did! - Lauridson's 'Sure on this Shining Night' left the audience spellbound, and ready to leave the hall, and into the welcome cool of a clear, moonlit, June night.

What more can I say? 38 years of concert-going, from the cramped conditions of the old 'Big School', via the occasional forays onto the Terrace, open air!, into the Ivy Coleman Recital Hall, and the main theatre itself, and every event memorable for its atmosphere, its music, and for being at the beating heart of St Edmund's School.

Good luck to the Department under Will Bersey - what a signing! - and to Dr Braddy as he goes to parishes new, and to Ian Swatman on his return next term to St Edmund's. Thank you for everything you do to instil a little calm, and much pleasure, into the busyness of a working life. What next? Thursday September 16th, and the first lunchtime recital of the new school year.

But - my memory must be failing! - how could I possibly not remind everyone of the chance to hear Sophie Belinfante for the last time in concert? Thursday July 1st, Recital Hall, 1.45pm, and a programme of sonatas by Beethoven and Cesar Franck, with Spencer Payne as accompanist. Try to be there - Sophie deserves an audience!