Scotch College

Ending the year with a Prom

What better way to end Scotch’s year of music than with the ever-popular Summer Prom?

Words: Mr John Ferguson – Director Of Music

The musical year ended in 2008 with one of the school’s favourite concerts, the Summer Prom. This was the 18th Summer Prom and took place, as always, on the last Tuesday of the school year.

The concert comprised performances from the Symphonic Wind, the Academy Strings and the Symphony Orchestra, and featured some highly advanced playing. Of particular note was a dazzling performance of Weber’s Clarinet Concertino by Michael Yang (Year 11), and a sensitive and refined performance of the Bruch Violin Concerto in G minor performed by Damien Qi (Year 10). The orchestra was well up to the delicate task of accompanying these two works.

Of special interest were two performances by the symphony orchestra of student compositions. James Kim of Year 10’s ‘Victory Overture’ and Ben Molyneaux of Year 12’s ‘Majestic Fanfare’ were both conducted by the composition teacher, Nicholas Buc (’99). These were demanding works, and the orchestra is to be commended for the performance. It is very special to be able to give compositions by student composers a proper performance. Both these composers have enjoyed significant success. James won a national competition last year, and Ben was awarded the Ian L Braid Prize for Music Composition.

The Academy Strings performed Manfredini’s Concerto Grosso Op 3 No 9, with Daniel Qi (Year 11), Albert Chen (Year 9) and Alistair Chong (Year 11) performing the solo parts; and the Symphonic Wind anticipated this year’s school production with a medley of songs from West Side Story.

The Symphony Orchestra also performed ‘La Calinda’ by Delius – a gorgeous work, featuring beautiful oboe playing by Daniel Li (Year 10), and a superb horn solo from Jeffrey Ge (Year 10).

As tradition demands, the music leaders for 2009 were announced and presented by the Principal, Mr Tom Batty: Captain of Music – Michael Yang; Vice-Captains shared by Alistair Chong and Tudor Thomas; Leader of the Symphony Orchestra – Daniel Qi; Captain of Choir – Jack Fowles; and Captain of Symphonic Wind – Jeremy Palazzo.

The orchestra concluded a lovely evening with Sir Arthur Sullivan’s best overture (in my opinion!), for The Yeomen of the Guard. GS