Girls wish you a 'White Christmas'
This week, the LIV (Year 7) Choir, in their perfect, joyful bubble, enjoyed Christmas repertoire, getting into the festive spirit with commitment! What better piece to learn and perform, than White Christmas by Irving Berlin.
Deborah secures place in National Youth Training Choir
Many congratulations to LV (Year 10) pupil Deborah, who recently auditioned for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB) and has been offered a place in the National Youth Training Choir.
MIV enjoy Music Making
On Tuesday of Donaldson Week, the MIV (Year 8) girls gathered for a day of music making, based on the musical Hamilton by the hip-hop artist Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The Cecilia James Company Music Festival & Shout 2020
This year, the Cecilia James Company Music Festival and Shout ran in a slightly different way to enable us to follow the precautions needed in these odd times of living in a pandemic. The event, however, did not lose any of its excitement, and the relentless rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the girls.
Choral Scholarships offered at Oxford University
We were delighted to hear last week that UVI Form (Year 13) musicians, Flora and Megan, have been conditionally offered Choral Scholarships at their first choice Oxford colleges: Flora at University College, and Megan at St Peter’s.
Music fills the air in our inaugural Garden Concert
On a beautifully sunny and breezy September lunchtime, whole school ensembles and UVI (Year 13) soloists came together to perform uplifting music in the Lime Kiln Garden. This was a memorable inaugural concert, allowing newly formed ensembles to show what they are capable of in under two weeks of term!
MINIS (MINority Instrument Scheme) opportunity for girls
Each year, a limited number of spaces are made available for Fourth Form girls who would like to learn to play a new instrument as part of a free trial scheme, MINIS (MINority Instrument Scheme), which runs through the Autumn and the Spring Terms. There is a long list of instruments available, which is made up of some of the less obvious choices.
International mezzo-soprano adjudicates Sir Bryn Terfel Song Prize
On Friday 6th March, senior singers competed for the 2020 Sir Bryn Terfel Song Prize with international mezzo-soprano, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, presiding as adjudicator.
'Mamma Mia!' moves are a hit at Musical Theatre Workshop
Year 5 and 6 girls from a number of visiting schools were thrilled to learn the authentic choreography from the hit musical, Mamma Mia! at the ‘Hits of Hollywood’ Musical Theatre Workshop, which was hosted by St Mary’s on Tuesday 3rd March.
Girls excel in Fourth Form Music Festival 2020
Just before Half Term, this year’s Fourth Form Music Festival kicked off with the preliminary rounds during Donaldson Week. The Festival is a unique opportunity for Fourth Form girls (Years 7-9) to play or sing a piece they have been working on to a live audience of their peers and a panel of music teachers, regardless of what standard they have reached.
Christmas Cheer and Carols for Fairways' Residents
Once again, Junior Consort enjoyed their annual festive visit to The Fairways Retirement Village and Care Home in Chippenham. The girls donned their Christmas attire and brightened up a cold and dreary day with their glittering tinsel, beautiful voices and happy faces.
Junior Choir sing Carols for Penn Court Residents
On Monday 9th December, the LIV (Year 7) girls made the short walk along the Oxford Road to entertain the residents of Penn Court with some seasonal cheer. Bedecked with Christmas jumpers, tinsel, antlers and hats, there was an array of festive colour on display.
Beautiful Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
With hundreds of candles glimmering in the dark, the scene was set for the school’s annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Mary’s Parish Church.
Spectacular Concert raises funds for Military Bursaries
On Thursday 28th November, an audience of parents and supporters gathered in the Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich for the eagerly-anticipated performance of Fauré’s Requiem. The piece was performed by St Mary’s Chamber Choir and Junior Consort, together with a choir of 25 tenors and basses from Eton College.
Entertaining Evening at the Autumn Concert
Now a regular fixture in the Music Calendar, this year’s Autumn Concert took place in Chapel on Thursday, 14th November, marking the first major outing of the year for all of the school’s major instrumental ensembles.
Music Scholars enjoy their annual Supper
On the evening of Wednesday 6th November, the Music Scholars came together for their annual gathering, which this year took place in Top Hall. The evening began with solos from two of our UIV Scholars, Deborah and Izzy. Deborah opened with a lovely rendition of Bach’s aria Bist du bei mir, before Izzy gave an atmospheric performance of the opening movement from Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
Girls shine at Calne Music and Arts Festival Concert
Once again this year we were privileged to have been asked to give a concert for the Calne Music and Arts Festival.
The Cecilia James Company Music Festival and Shout, 2019
The Cecilia James Company Music Festival took place on Friday 4th October and was adjudicated by Roy Rashbrook, who is a classically trained singer, director of various vocal ensembles and Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Concert Artists join forces with Bath Choral Society for sparkling performance
On Saturday 22nd June, St Mary’s Concert Artists joined Bath Choral Society for an exhilarating concert at
St Mary’s the Virgin, Bathwick. Under the energetic instruction of the much lauded composer himself, Alexander L’Estrange, the girls took part in a brief workshop to hone actions and musicianship for the demands of Zimbe! a choral work involving SATB choir, a youth choir and a jazz quintet.
Concert Artists perform at Cadenham Manor
On Thursday 13th June, St Mary’s Concert Artists performed solo repertoire at a fundraising event at Cadenham Manor, Foxham.