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Music in the Undercroft

The Undercroft, a space which was formerly home to an organ blower and the country’s largest toilet block, was transformed on Monday into an informal venue for some of our chamber music groups. The concert lasted around half an hour, and included performances from the Guitar Ensemble, the Recorder Consort, and the Wind Quintet. In addition, Mr Tonks, Mr Hill, and Mrs Stubbs performed a work composed for six hands at one piano. Embellished with light choreography, this amusing number was entitled ‘Anyone for Tennis?’, apt on the opening day of Wimbledon.

 When some of the Recorder Consort began with their recorders upside down, a wave of bemusement struck the audience. However, when the haunting tones of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ were heard, fears were dispelled. Aarnav H (4ths) sang an unusual aria from ‘The Telephone’ by Menotti. Alongside the music, Pimm’s and lemonade were being served by Mr Hill. The concert closed with the Wind Quintet playing two movements from Darius Milhaud’s ‘La cheminée du roi René’, an intriguingly titled work but full of Frankish charm.

Jazz Night

The Head Master announced in Communications that the annual Serenaders’ Jazz Night is his favourite music event of the year. There is indeed much appealing about it: excellent music, delicious food, and good company.

This year’s event met all these criteria, and in spite of a healthy degree of disarray before the event, the evening went very smoothly. Performers included the Joint Jazz Band (with girls from St Helen’s), the Dixieland Band, Taylors’ Funk Society, Saxophone Ensemble, the Staff Band, and a few other smaller items.

Thanks must go especially to Gregg McCann, whose compèring was excellent.