Choral and Orchestral Concert, Abergavenny March 2024-25

Nearly 200 musicians took part in this event, a staple in the schools’ musical calendar.  Symphonic Winds, Senior Strings and the Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools’ Symphony Orchestra gave performances of music by Bizet, Hans Zimmer, Bartók and Rutter in the first half.  The second half saw a choir of 160 voices perform two motets by Anton Bruckner (Tota Pulcra Es and Ave Maria) with brass, followed by Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams, accompanied by organ and brass.  The Baritone soloist was Yr 13 student Max Spencer.

The capacity audience was most appreciative in its applause.  A touching coda was a presentation of music and flowers given by Year 12 and 13 students to departing Director of Music David Lawson.

Evensong at Christ Church, Oxford

Once a year, the Chapel Choir makes a visit to a cathedral or other large church to sing Evensong.  Musically, it’s a demanding service, with canticles, psalms, responses and an anthem all to be learned and sung well.

This year (2024) the Chapel Choir visited Christ Church, Oxford to sing evensong in the magnificent cathedral.  They were warmly welcomed by the Sub-dean and had the opportunity to take some photos in the locations from the Harry Potter films – and do some singing under Wolsey’s amazing pendant vault.  How does it stay up?  They were joined by former-choir-member Ellis who is now a choral scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge.

The Canticles were George Dyson’s famous setting in D, the anthem was Robert Ashfield’s the Fair Chivalry and the Responses were by Bernard Rose, written for Magdalen College just a short walk away.

 

Chapel Choir

Fresh from their Austria and Bavaria tour the choir of July 2023, with nine new members, will perform at the VOCO ST David’s Hotel Cardiff on 12th October, at the Remembrance Sunday ceremonies on 12th November, the Advent Carol service on 3rd December, at Great St Bartholomew’s, Smithfield, London on 6th December and the two Services of Lessons and Carols on 14th and 15th December.  Looking ahead, they will sing Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford on 5th February.

Charity Concert, 15th November

MG and MB will together host a Charity Concert at the Blake Theatre on the evening of 15th November.  It’s a chance to hear Symphonic Winds, Senior Strings, Jazz Orchestra, Bach Orchestra and some smaller groups, whilst raising money for some very good causes.

Instrumental Competitions 

In the Michaelmas Term we host the George Shuffrey String Competition on Thursday 9th November and the Michael Williams Piano Competition on Wednesday 22nd November.