Spring Issue 2018 Saddleworth School Music Magazine SADDLEWORTH SCHOOL vivo Primary school Musicians Saddleworth School sharing their artistic and creative vision with local primary schools. (see pages 7-9) Music Department # STAFF FEATURE Christmas Concert 2017 By Mrs Pickett The concert again was given to a packed audience of families and friends, Governors and some staff. Mr Beckwith was the compere for the evening sharing his cracker jokes with everyone. We had a festive opening with the Brass Band led by Mr Beckwith It was a busy time for the 10 piece Brass Xplosion. They played performing Wizzard’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’ and ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ in the an equally festive one at the start of second half after the popular concert and then the week after they played for the Christmas raffle playing ‘Don’t Stop the Cavalry’ by Jona Lewie. This featured assemblies and in village on the last day of term outside Java and Jeremy Knight playing the famous opening on his cornet. in the Civic Hall for a charity lunch. Helena Drumm The Woodwind Group led by Mrs Pickett consisting of flutes and Our talented Year 10 GCSE musicians, Chloe Whatmough, kit player featured 3 Year 7 oboists for the first time and played a Leah Tissington and Ella Bruce performed their own beautiful Cello/Bass teacher Christmas Medley of Carols. arrangement of ‘Titanium’ by Sia. Chloe played the piano and sang whilst the other 2 sang. The harmonies were stunning! Chloe Our talented Year 11 BTEC and GCSE Music students, Eve Matley later performed her own composition, a beautiful song called, (vocals) and Rowan Heywood (bass guitar) along with equally ‘Young’. Chloe’s proud family were there supporting her within talented Year 9 Tom Mitchell (guitar) performed ‘Somewhere Only the stunned audience. We Know’ by Keane. Both Eve and Rowan are continuing their Musical studies after Saddleworth at BIMM. Maddison Potter – Farrants showed off her amazing voice by giving a beautiful and emotional performance of ‘O Holy Night’ The Guitar Ensemble consisting of around 40 students, led by Mr Who taught you how to play your instrument? What 3 things could you not live without? by Adolph Adam. Housley performed ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ by Slade and ‘Last My first was a lovely old lady called Marjorie Tate. I thought 1. My sons Christmas’ by Wham which Mr Housley announced was a tribute The Concert Band led by Mrs Pickett ended a fantastic first half she was about 100 years old but she was probably only 2. Kindness to George Michael. The audience were encouraged to sing along. with 2 lively swing numbers, ‘Rockin’Around the Christmas Tree’ about 60! My favourite teacher was a pretty famous cellist 3. Laughter by Johny Marks and ‘Swing Santa Swing’ by Michael Story. called Amaryllis Fleming who’d had lessons from Casals, had a The Pop Choir sang a variety of pieces led by Luke Mather. These What 3 CD’s or albums would you take to a desert island? wicked sense of humour and drove like a maniac. were ‘Africa’ by Toto, ‘Carol of the Bells’ by Leontovich which Deal With It comprising of Talented Year 9s, Ryan Connor (lead 1. Brahms’ Piano Concertos they also performed in an episode of Coronation Street, ‘I Can vocals), Oliver Bates (Drums) and Oliver Vance (Guitar) performed If applicable where did you study Music? 2. Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis See Clearly Now the Rain has Gone’ by Jonny Nash and ‘Deck the Shakin Stevens classic hit, ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’. I went to London University to do a music degree then went to 3. Nina Simone -Baltimore Halls’. They were busy around this time performing here, in the the Royal College of Music to do a postgrad in performance. For the first time we had the Year 7 Band performing conducted Favourite Holiday destination? Christmas Assemblies and in Uppermill for the community on the by Year 10 student, Jeremy Knight. He has been rehearsing the Which musical ensembles have you performed with? The Lake District. Stunning scenery. The Isle of Skye is also last day. band every Tuesday lunchtime and this was his first time at Northern Sinfonia, Welsh Chamber Orchestra, various quartets amazing. The String Ensemble is led by members of the group and conducting a group in a school concert. Jeremy brought out of and backing track ensembles and a piano trio that toured Favourite Concert venue? also consists of our Science teacher, Mr Wadsworth and was them a fun, exciting, energetic performance of, ‘March: Christmas mostly in Japan. The picture gallery at my university. It was small and fairly supported on the night by Mrs Knight. They performed 3 pieces, Carols’ and ‘Misirlou’ by Mendez. What is your favourite food? intimate and if the concert was boring, you could always look ‘Go Tell it on the Mountain’ and ‘Dulci Jubilo’ followed by the The concert ended with the Brass Quintet performing ‘Pastime Greek mezze. New York style cheesecake too- a bit of a kick in at the paintings! popular ‘Viva La Vida’ by Coldplay. This group has of recent weeks with Good Company’ by Henry VIII and ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ by the teeth when you’ve just turned vegan! increased in number with the welcome addition of 2 new cellists, Tea or Coffee? Handel, Mr Beckwith leading a fun audience participation of Joshua Bruton and Naomi Knight. Two of the members, Lucy Who are your favourite bands or artists? Tea ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ before everyone sang, ‘O Come All ye Beaumont and Imogen Cox later gave an excellent performance • I love Nina Simone Faithful’ putting everyone in the mood for Christmas. Interesting fact about yourself? of a duet by Shostakovich, ‘Prelude and Gavotte’ accompanied by • Oscar Peterson It’s really hard thinking of something interesting about myself their teacher, Mr Lord. • Tom Waits but one of my ancestors was in the Hanover band that came • Bob Dylan • Newton Faulkner over with the composer Handel in the 1700s. • lots of folk bands One of my ancestors was in the Hanover band that came over with the composer Handel in the 1700s. 2 3 The Saddleworth school music department were very proud to once again host our annual concert with our very good friends from the University of Salford. Three pieces for smaller groups were next on the programme featuring the Brass Ensemble and Brass Xplosion. The Brass Ensemble displayed real skill in playing without a conductor as they presented their version of Gershwin’s ever popular ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ – some beautiful lyrical playing from all the members of the group BRASSAMATAZZ 2018 with a special mention to first trumpet player year 11 student Bridget Atkin. Following a quick seating change the Brass Xplosion performed Saddleworth school Brass Musicians, University of two new arrangements, firstly ‘I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to Free’ (many recognised this as the theme tune to popular Film review Salford Symphonic Wind Ensemble directed by Brett programme hosted by Barry Norman some years ago) combining a quartet introduction of ‘Amazing Grace’ and the more upbeat gospel Baker and guest Euphonium soloist Glenn Van Looy. main theme, this was followed by a new arrangement of ‘ALRIGHT’ by 90’s indie pop / rock band Supergrass – three fun pieces that demonstrated the talented brass ensembles we have at the school. The finale of the first half was music from the big screen, film music by Klaus Badelt as the brass band brought the first half to a close with their performance of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. A performance that had all the “YO-HO!” and swagger typical of the famous Disney franchise with some lovely individual contributions from Jeremy Knight, Daniel Smithies, Ben Hill-Wilson, Ella Bruce, Connie Gutridge, The solo contribution from our guest soloist Glenn Van Looy was Alex Dickinson, the fab percussionists Oliver Bates and Oliver simply breath taking! The entire audience sat open mouthed as Sowden, with some stonking bass trombone playing from year 7 Glenn performed his version of the classic theme and variations solo student Matthew Gutridge! ALL the brass students at Saddleworth ‘Believe Me if all those Endearing Young Charms’. Flawless technique, school should be very proud of their achievements so far this year – beautifully lyrical euphonium playing, stratospheric high notes, they are really working hard to produce quality performances. fruity pedal tones and incredibly accurate fast playing followed in The second half opened with the University of Salford Symphonic a true master class in solo performance. As an audience we were Wind Ensemble in full throttle performing FANFARE by Joe truly fortunate to witness such a virtuosic performance live in our Stephenson, the ensemble produced a wonderfully warm sound very own school hall – another inspiring performance for our young that demonstrated the quality of the ensemble throughout. musicians to aspire to in their own musical performances. Under the direction of Mr Baker the ensemble produced a really To close the evening the audience were treated to a beautiful entertaining programme of different music to the audience – performance of the majestic wind band classic ‘Canterbury different in a good way! Chorale’ by Dutch composer Jan Van Der Roost and more upbeat Original and descriptive music for Wind Orchestra followed directed film music from the pen of American film and TV composer, by two Masters students at the University, Ryan Coates and Adam Michael Giachinno – the wind orchestra version of the theme music Finch. Both student conductors displayed wonderful musicianship from ‘The Incredibles’ brought the 2018 Brassamatazz concert to as they directed the ensemble performances of new repertoire an exciting close.