In what was most definitely our final musical hurrah of the school year, and on a blisteringly hot evening, we were treated to highly eclectic array of music from a significant number of performers. Most of these were drawn from the Shell and Remove year groups, gallantly augmented by some Lower Sixth, and despite the heat, they didn’t disappoint.
One significant development over the last few years has been the implementation of Concert Orchestra, which is a junior version of the main Symphony Orchestra, and which works extremely well. Conducted by Mr Arkwright in his final performance as Head of Instrumental Studies, this commenced proceedings with notable zest, followed by the Shell Drumming Group offering an energetic rendition of Thump from the back of the ambulatory.
Next came Sinfonia Strings with soloist Yan Ling T and the exuberant Mrs Stagg at the helm with some well-known classics, including a persuasive Bond Medley, and thereafter the Saxophone Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble presented a wide range of classical and jazz numbers to great effect, expertly led by Mr Gibbons.
This colourful spectacle was brought to a conclusion with two works from the Percussion Ensemble, including the popular Mission Impossible, and confirming to us all that Junior Music at Marlborough is in a very good place, with bags of potential for further development.
Bravo one and all.
Philip Dukes FGSM; Hon ARAM
Artistic Director, Marlborough College
