Last Friday night we were treated to a very special concert brought live to the Shiplake Community in their homes from the Great Hall, The 2021 Soloists' Concert.
This black tie event saw nine of the College’s advanced musicians perform a range of pieces chosen by them to showcase their talents and musical influences. Most performances were from the western classical tradition.
The piano used in the concert is a Broadwood, the kind Beethoven would have played. The piano was generously donated to Shiplake by Jo McClaren and her son Monty.
The evening began with Director of Music, Mr Richard Curran opening proceedings. It was then over to the musicians who introduced their pieces with interesting facts and history about their origins before each performance.
Thank you to the following musicians for their outstanding performances:
- Silas Lee - Sonata in D kp.214, D Scarlatti (piano)
- Henry Johnston - Ave Maria, Franz Schubert and Simple Gifts, Joseph Brackett (voice)
- Ewan Pratt - Superstition, Stevie Wonder (Drums)
- Elizabeth Tang - Nocturne in G Minor, Fryderyk Chopin (piano)
- Noah Scotchbrook - I Get a Kick Out of You, Cole Porter and Down by the Salley Gardens, Rebecca Clark (voice)
- Sena Hughes - Prelude in C, J S Bach
- Leo Slowikowski - Worrisome Blues, Martha Mier (piano) and Five Bagatelles II Romance, Gerald Finzi (Clarinet)
- Johnny Miller - The Ash Grove, B Britten and Linden Lea, RVaughan-Williams (voice)
- Richard Wang - Turkish March, W A Mozart (piano)
Headmaster, Mr Tyrone Howe brought the evening to a close. He said: “We have been treated to music of the highest quality this evening and it has been great to see just how much the pupils have been enjoying themselves in the process. We must never underestimate the nerves that come with performing and it is terrific to see the confidence with which they performed this evening so thank you to all of them.”
Thank you also to our sound technician, Old Viking Marcus Bagshawe and audio visual company Talefin headed up by another Old Viking Max Tilney, as well as our accompanists Mrs Louise Rapple Moore and Mr Richard Good.
Mr Richard Curran, said: “Our music scholars, exhibitioner and other advanced musicians treated our virtual audience to an hour of top quality performances in the heart of the College, the Great Hall. With the exception of Year 8 all year groups were represented in an event which showcased the diligence, technical skills and musical interpretation of each of the soloists.
"With our Broadwood grand piano centre stage and our musicians in black tie this truly was a celebration of Western Classical Music. I am exceptionally proud of each and every one of our young musicians for taking up the mantle and performing with such confidence and professionalism. Bravo!
“Join us for 'Shiplake College Introducing...' on Friday 14 May to watch our young composers talk about their music before their debut.”
