Scotch College

Foundation Day Concert showcases Scotch’s musical talent

Scotch can feel justifiably proud of the musical achievements of its students, very much on show at the Foundation Day Concert.

WORDS: Mr STUART CONNEW • ACTING HEAD OF KEYBOARD

Reading the opening page of the program for this year’s Foundation Day Concert on Wednesday 3 September, one could not fail to be impressed by the range of musical activities listed, involving large numbers of boys and led by a dedicated and experienced staff.

Of course, having now spent nearly a year as a member of the music staff myself, I know that what is mentioned is but the tip of the iceberg. Week by week there is an enormous range of musical activities taking place in the Music School – ranging from string and piano trios, vocal and instrumental soloists to the full sound of the larger ensembles such as the Symphony Orchestra, Academy Strings, Symphonic Wind Band, Military Band, Pipe Band, Show Band and the College choirs.

The Foundation Day Concert is a showcase for these premier groups. A great deal of excitement and eager anticipation is evident as the students prepare for this concert. The students see it as a honour to be chosen to play in the groups who will perform at Foundation Day, and they willingly devote many extra hours of rehearsal to ensure that the performance will be just right on the night.

In addition to the instrumental and choral groups there is a longstanding tradition of involving senior students (in Years 10, 11 and 12) in presenting a substantial choral work with full orchestral accompaniment. Director of Music John Ferguson, assisted by the Head of Choral Studies, Andrew Hunter, rehearses this large group (some 500 boys) in the weeks leading up to the concert. This year’s work featured excerpts from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and the performance was energetic and entirely appropriate for young adolescent voices. The rhythmic challenges were handled well and the orchestral accompaniment was superb.

The concert commenced with a stunning performance of the third movement of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1, featuring our very own ABC Young Performer of The Year, Max Foster, as piano soloist. Max is a dynamic performer, and the orchestra responded with an enthusiastic and supportive accompaniment. This was followed by the Academic Festival Overture by Johannes Brahms – a challenging work for a young orchestra, but one which they accomplished effectively.

The Academy Strings, Symphonic Wind Band, Pipe Band, Military Band and Show Band then performed – all to a very high standard. All these items were well received by the large audience which filled Hamer Hall.

Scotch students are indeed extremely fortunate to have such highly skilled and competent directors in each of these major ensembles. Each group was directed with flair, with careful attention being paid to subtleties such as dynamic contrasts, good tone, correct bowing and sense of style.

Particularly enjoyable for me was the superb playing of the Show Band, directed by Roger Schmidli. They played ‘In the Mood’ and the Lennon and McCartney standard ‘Hey Jude’.

As a great lover of choral music I was delighted to listen to the magnificent singing of the College Choir and the Chamber choir – both directed by Andrew Hunter. The choirs produce a beautiful singing tone, with clear diction and a great sense of interpretation of the mood and style of the pieces presented. To see nearly 150 teenage boys singing so enthusiastically in a choir is a heart-warming experience.

The School can feel justifiably proud of the musical achievements of its students, as demonstrated in a wonderful night of outstanding music making. Congratulations to the energetic and dynamic Director of Music, John Ferguson, and to all the music staff and students for a great celebration of the foundation of a great School. Long may it continue to flourish. GS