Scotch College

Marvellous May Concert

Amidst a busy curricular and co-curricular programme, talented Scotch College musicians provided a smorgasbord of music at the Robert Blackwood Hall for the annual May Concert.

The Symphony Orchestra began the evening playing the 'Capriccio Espagnol' by Rimsky Korsakov. Jeremy Chin injected plenty of spark and ably led the orchestra through this demanding work. Cor Anglais lines by Timothy Luke and castanets by David Cheung created a distinctly Spanish flavour.

Stephen Liew was the soloist in the mesmerising concerto for Marimba entitled 'Fantasy on Japanese Woodprints' by Hovhaness. This modern work challenged the orchestra in a different way from the Rimsky Korsakov but the rhythmic and skilful percussionist superimposed on the shimmering strings and confident brass playing created a spellbinding atmosphere.

The young players of the Touzeau Strings brought to life two film scores, coping well with the distinctive rhythms of 'Star Wars' and playing with great unity. The Senior Strings then led us into tranquillity in a timeless 'Concerto for Four Violins' by Vivaldi.

The parts interweaved beautifully and gave the audience a chance to hear four highly accomplished violinists in Jeremy Chin, Allen Wang, Wilson Zhang and Jonathan Cheng.

Choral music at Scotch has been improving in quality and, as we saw on the night, also in quantity. The College Choir consisted of over a hundred boys, who sang a beautiful ballad followed by a contrasting Gershwin song. The boys were secure in their parts and had a pure tone with contrasting dynamics. The Chamber Choir, a smaller group of more senior boys, performed two unaccompanied songs. 'Shenandoah' evolved in texture with careful expression while 'Swansea Town' was a spirited English sea shanty. The Junior School Choir had selected Australian works beginning with an effective aboriginal song accompanied by some Year 6 percussion students. The choir was attentive to the conductor and produced a good cohesive sound, coping easily with the difficult intervals in their modern second piece 'Go, Heart'.

The Monday Big Band and the Show Band led the audience to the interval with plenty of beat and pizzazz. Several members displayed their talents in solo spots including tenor saxophonist Hugo Moodie and trumpeters Keenan Adams, Jason Bond and Stewart Jones. It certainly got the audience's feet tapping.

One of the impressive achievements of the night followed the interval. Choral Director Andrew Hunter had managed to direct the whole of Year 7 through practices, teaching them two pieces that they performed to a high standard on the night. There were even some singing in parts! The two songs,

'The Rainbow Connection' and 'Splish Splash' were filled with character and the versatile and excellent accompanist Julia Piggin again helped set the tone.

Much imagination had gone into Peter Rickard's presentation of 'The Great Locomotive Chase'; an American work with a descriptive score which was successfully brought to life. The railway crossing and all that smoke made the rendition unforgettable! The boys obviously enjoyed playing it.

The Ted Joyner Band played a march by Tchaikovsky followed by the 'Silent Movie'. Both pieces were well executed with good control and assured us of good wind players coming through. Symphonic Wind then finished the evening playing a colourful piece 'October' by Whitacre. The clever score enabled you to feel the breeze from the wind and the leaves rustling in the trees. Their second piece, 'The Medley of Broadway Marches' sent us on our way with many familiar tunes and was a bright and happy finish.

The evening ran smoothly, with minimum time rearranging the stage. We were even treated to a light-hearted interlude from the accomplished Cardinals from the balcony in between items.

The logistics of organising such an event, including over five hundred performers, is huge and credit must go to the many instrumental and teaching music staff and to the Director of Music, John Ferguson, for a splendid night.

Mr D Brown