theBaton. Friends of Tiffin Music’s termly magazine right practice and commitment, we look round, selecting twelve performers to forward to these pupils forming the go through to the final. Gareth Owen, school orchestra of tomorrow. Head of Keyboard at Eton College, The choir’s regular choral adjudicated, awarding first prizes to evensong services at St. Luke’s Church, Maxi Purewal (12MH) (Senior) and Kingston, resumed, including evening Daniel Lim (11KO) (Intermediate) for services by Howells, Dyson and Purcell. their excellent performances. Organist Joseph Waymouth’s (10GW) accompanying Director of Music Report Beginning with Year introduction to musical instruments, the choir was spectacular event, involving over two particularly impressive. Alongside the hundred performers, regular pattern of services at St. Luke’s, Oratorio Choir, the men’s voices of Tiffin Boys’ Choir Oratorio Trebles, Children’s Chorus, joined the sopranos and altos of Tiffin Brandenburg Stravinsky’s Girls’ Chamber Choir to sing evensong Taking place in Tiffin Sports Hall, the Perséphone with the Philharmonia at at Hampton Court Palace. The service weeks of preparation which went into the Royal Festival Hall. included a fine performance of Byrd learning Laudibus in Sanctis. Raising our eyes to Mendelssohn’s performance 7’s of The Tiffin Oratorio Concert was a of including Tiffin Sinfonia the Boys’ and many the Choir, soloists. notes of and culminating in performances on Also in September, through Year both national radio and television, the 7’s introduction to musical instruments, the the impressive feat for Year 7 pupils, some 2016 Autumn Term has certainly been a new pupils were given the opportunity corbelled Tudor ceiling was a reminder of whom had never before sung in a busy and varied one for Tiffin musicians. to see, hear and, most importantly, play that Byrd’s music would have been choir. Mr Oldfield’s superb performance In September, the Guardian wrote of an array of orchestral instruments, heard in that place four-hundred years as Elijah gave his many Tiffin singing Tiffin Boys’ Choir: ‘the choral singing – some of which they were encountering earlier. pupils sitting in the choir much to aspire from the Philharmonia Voices and Tiffin for the first time. The taster lessons, Boys’ Choir – was beautifully refined, delivered by the visiting music teachers, piano an including Mr Day, Mrs Bevan, Fraser nowhere more so perhaps than in the have led to many beginners taking up exceptional number of entries – over Wigley and Tim Lovett was much drastically lessons on their chosen orchestral sixty in total. Mr Dalgleish, who appreciated by all involved. It was a accompanies Perséphone’s dreams in instrument, organised the competition, with Mr particularly the underworld’, describing the choir’s experienced Year 7 musicians. With the Ferris, Children’s Chorus who not only joined simple thebaton—Autumn 2016 lullaby that joining some more night sky decoration of After a year’s absence, this year’s competition adjudicated received the preliminary Elijah paid off, an to. The tireless work of the organisers, busy term for Tiffin thebaton—Autumn 2016 Chorus in Mendelssohn’s Elijah, but with an impressive performance of also performed in the Royal Albert Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 Mvt. I given Hall’s ‘Scratch Youth Messiah’ and, with by the School Orchestra. the Tiffinians, ‘headlined’ the Rose Theatre’s Christmas Concert. The end of the term presented Tiffin Boys’ Choir with its focal point: This year, soloists will be offered not only would they perform their the opportunity to perform each term annual Nine Lessons and Carols service in a termly Chamber Music Concert. to a packed All Saints’ Church, their Alongside the solo performances in performance would also be broadcast November’s performances by Classic FM to an estimated two were given by two string quartets. The million people! The service, broadcast excellent first on Wednesday 21st December, was a movement of Borodin’s String Quartet reflection of the choir’s, and Mr Day’s, No. 2 given by the senior string quartet, exceptional dedication, hard work and led and rehearsed entirely by students, talent. Special mention should go to was particularly worthy of praise. Daniel Blaze (9KB), soloist on national concert, rendition of the The Autumn Ensembles Concert radio and Joshua Dennis (9KN) and followed soon after, including all but Daniel McCarthy (7JAF), soloists the the school’s jazz ensembles, who were preceding evening at a packed Royal preparing for the annual Christmas Jazz Albert Hall, where the choir performed Evening which rounds off the term. in the BT Christmas Concert alongside Beginning with the Wind Band, the the London Concert Orchestra and concert then featured an excellent Chorus, and The Band of Her Majesty’s performance of Corelli’s Christmas Marines. Concerto Chamber Evening, with the Jazz Combo, Tiffin Big Orchestra (soloists Jim Tse, Chris Band and Thames Youth Jazz Orchestra, McDonald, rounded off a great term of music- given by Sebastian the Tyrrall and Humphrey Allen). The concert ended thebaton—Autumn 2016 The Christmas Jazz Right: the Tiffin Oratorio rehearsing Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Left: Chamber Orchestra & soloists rehearsing Corelli’s Christmas Concerto. Right: Choir Trebles recording for a TV advert at Metropolis Studios. making — Matthew O’Malley a thebaton—Autumn 2016 Oxbridge). One of the pieces was an arrangement of the Beatles’ song, Yesterday – performed with great sensitivity and expression. This sextet Campaign for the Traditional Cathedral Choir received a particularly enthusiastic ovation from the audience. “ In May 2016, the Boys’ Choir were invited to perform at the Campaign for During the interval, Mr Day gave a speech briefly outlining the choir’s rich the Traditional Cathedral Choir’s Spring Event and AGM at Charterhouse. John history, before being presented with a cheque by the CTCC’s chairman, Dr Peter Harvey for the CTCC writes: Giles, for the continued development of music within the school. Friends of Cathedral Music Diamond Jubilee From the 24-26th June, more than 200 members of the Friends of Cathedral Music descended on London to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of its founding in 1956. The weekend began with a celebration of cathedral music by candlelight, with three choirs assembled at St Martin-in-the-Fields, central London. The choirs consisted of Portsmouth Cathedral (conducted by David Price), the Choir of All Saints Fulham (conducted by Jonathan Wikely, FCM Council member) and Tiffin Boys' Choir (conducted by James Day) . “The recital, given by the renowned Tiffin Boys’ Choir under their Musical Director, James Day, was a delight. The choir sang six items covering works from William Byrd’s Agnus Dei (Mass for Four Voices) to extracts from Britten’s A Crown Court Service Ceremony of Carols. Between the pieces we heard some excellent solos/duets On 3rd October the choir sang at the annual Crown Court service at All Saints including a moving rendition of The Turtle Dove arranged by Vaughan Williams for Church, Kingston. The service marks the formal beginning of the annual start of the treble voice; Du bist die Ruh by Schubert performed with expressive phrasing by a Crown Court’s year and is attended by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston young countertenor; Chanson du Pecheur by Faure, sung with great maturity by a upon Thames and the Judges of the Crown Court wearing full ceremonial dress. VIth form bass. The impeccable accompanist was Matthew O’Malley, Director of Students from local schools led and joined in the prayers with the choir singing the Music at Tiffin. Although not on the printed programme, we thoroughly enjoyed Introit, Psalm and Anthem. The service was led by the Reverend Jonathan Wilkes three pieces by The Tiffinians, a close harmony sextet not unlike the renowned and a thoughtful sermon on the importance of traditions in our own lives was deliv- King’s Singers (indeed, three Tiffinians had won choral scholarships to Durham and ered by the Reverend Ken Walker, Minister of the John Bunyan Baptist Church. thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 Stravinsky — Perséphone: Royal Festival Hall On Sunday 25th September the French, and committing it to memory. choir trebles were back on duty at the Positive reviews include: ‘Still younger, Royal Festival Hall singing Stravinsky’s of course, were the 28 members of Tiffin Perséphone Philharmonia Boys‘ Choir, from the Kingston upon Orchestra and Philharmonia Voices, Thames school of that name, all attired under Esa-Pekka in their distinctive striped uniform, and Salonen. One of Stravinsky’s most rarely lending extra vocal colour to the top line heard works, Perséphone was originally when the score asks for it.’ conceived as a stage production with —Seen and Heard International with the the direction of a ‘'Orchestral the text based on an old Greek textures myth. sensuous yet melodrama- lucid, the recitation role choral singing – of Perséphone from was beautifully the Philharmonia portrayed Voices and Tiffin native The by French and Pauline Boys’ Choir – was beautifully refined, Chevaller, and the tenor part was sung nowhere more so perhaps than in the by drastically Andrew speaker, were Staples, who will be simple lullaby that remembered by many of us for his past accompanies Perséphone’s dreams in performances in Tiffin Oratorio. The the underworld.' boys should be applauded for their rapid —The Guardian a learning of the French text, a challenge for those studying German rather than thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 Piano Competition: Walden Hall Chamber Music Concert: Walden Hall Tuesday, 18 October saw the Department organise the competition The Autumn Chamber Music Concert was a great experience; it all started return of the Piano Competition, and to Tiffin Music staff, Matthew with an audition process which took place after school earlier in the term. There adjudicated O’Malley for were many talented musicians at the audition playing various instruments. I played by renowned pianist and all Simon the Ferris, Gareth Owen, Head of Piano at Eton auditioning applicants. a piece from the Grade 6 Piano syllabus called ‘Carengueijo’ by Hector Villas Lobos. College. The preliminary heats took Hopefully, the competition is firmly This is my favourite of the three pieces that I have to play for my exam in March place the previous week - there were a back on the calendar as an annual 2017. After the audition, I was delighted to be invited by Mr O’Malley to perform record number of entries, over sixty, event. at the Autumn Chamber Music Concert on Tuesday 8th November. notably in the junior category. The On the evening of the concert I was a little nervous as this was my first competition final itself included six performance at Tiffin School. Having looked at the programme, I also noticed that I competitors in both the junior and was the only year 7 playing amongst a large group of senior students. Everyone senior categories. Chopin proved to be performing was outstanding at their instruments. There were seven soloists and the composer of choice with both two string quartets in the line-up. My turn was 5th and so I had a bit of time to winners, choosing practise before I performed. I think I played my piece okay; the audience of parents works by the Polish composer. The and friends were very appreciative. Mr O’Malley and my class music teacher Mrs winners were: Cadogan congratulated me after my performance. (pictured right) Junior category: Daniel Lim (11KO) The seniors were absolutely brilliant; in particular my favourites were Henry Waltz in A Minor Chopin Saywell playing ‘Bulerias’ by Juan Martinon the guitar and Adam Meyer playing Senior category: Maxi Purewal (12MH) ‘Allegro’ from the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. This concert showed me how high the Etude in E Op.10 No.3 Chopin. standard of music is at school and has inspired me to practise harder. I am now All the pianists were highly commended on their performances looking forward to another opportunity to play in a school concert. —Harshil Shah – 7DB and received invaluable feedback from Gareth Owen. Special thanks go to James Dalgleish (Head of Piano at Tiffin School) for helping thebaton—Autumn 2016 the Music thebaton—Autumn 2016 Year 7 Inter-Form Choir Competition On 20th October Year 7 parents Machines (Ron Goodwin). experienced the first taste of their son’s ‘It was a very enjoyable show, music education at Tiffin School. All 6 and I thought all the forms were very forms performed a piece they had been good. Standing at the front, I could see preparing with their class music teacher the vast crowds and I’m sure my fellow together with selected solo items. The students agree when I say I had competition was adjudicated by Martyn butterflies in my stomach. But the Ford, Head of Performing Arts at whole class stuck with it and what do Lambrook School in Berkshire and a you know, my form came out tops, and ‘The night was tense, everybody wanted to win. Some forms were fabulous, former student of Tiffin School, who we got the trophy! I would love do it the soloists showed loads of bravery to go up there and perform and represent entertained the audience with his again, and I think that some of the kids there form. In the end, I think it was down to who wanted it more, and we just constructive feedback. Form 7RG, in my form are very talented. Thank you wanted to win. We sung our hearts and souls out and I am extremely happy that directed by Sian Cadogan, were judged Music Department for allowing Year 7 we won!’ the —Shashank Iyer 7RG worthy Magnificent winners, Men in thebaton—Autumn 2016 with Those to have the Inter Form Competition!!!’ their Flying —Nathan Bruins 7RG thebaton—Autumn 2016 ‘ The atmosphere was buzzing and the church was packed to the rafters. It was an exciting experience as I had never done something quite like this. Just being on stage ready to perform made me extremely nervous However, once we had Blankety Blank Christmas Special: ITV finished singing, the thunderous applause was satisfying. The adjudicator – Martyn One of many highlights for the younger members of the choir in what turned Ford – added plenty of humour as well as commenting on our performances in out to be a very busy end of term was recording for the Blankety Blank Christmas detail. He thought all the forms’ singing was prize-winning standard and finally Special. Readers may be familiar with the iconic quiz show previously hosted chose 7RG as the winners. The evening was a very special and enjoyable between 1979 – 2002 by Terry Wogan, Les Dawson and Lily Savage. Testing the experience. Thank you to the Music Department staff for organising this event.’ waters for a potential new series was the well-known presenter and comedian, —Oliver Cheung 7RG David Walliams, alongside a cast of ‘celebrities’ including Anne Robinson and Louis Walsh. The boys had been asked to present a Christmas carol with a special twist – angelic singing of the Blankety Blank theme, dressed as church choir boys and holding candles. The engagement involved 2 trips to the ITV Studios on Southbank where they were positioned on a special revolving stage, adding to the moment of surprise for the audience. The singing was led beautifully by Robbie Hancock (7BR) who commented as follows: ‘It was like nothing I’d ever done before – the lights, tech, and moving stages were at a whole new level. I found it nerve- wracking at first, but by the time we came in for the second day, I was as confident as I’ll ever be. I still can’t believe that we were on ITV, and sang in the same room as 8 celebrities!’ The show was aired on ITV at prime time on Christmas Eve and if you missed it is still available on ITV Catch Up for another couple of weeks. thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 Nine Lessons and Carols: Classic FM The annual Christmas Service, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at All Saints Church in Kingston, is always a choral highlight in the Tiffin calendar and even more so this year as Classic FM had agreed to broadcast the service over the Christmas period. This was a very exciting prospect especially as the readings would be delivered by a mix of celebrities and boys. Readers included ex-Tiffin students Gethin Anthony (actor), Arun Harinath (cricketer), broadcasters Anne Robinson and Griff Rhys-Jones and actress Jenny Seagrove although the longest and hardest first reading was delivered eloquently by Joshua Cruice (8RH). By way of publicising the event a short promotional video was produced by Tiffin Music Assistant Isa Khan. With an estimated two million listeners to the broadcast, many of whom would be unfamiliar with the school, this video was an opportunity to introduce the rich history and values of the choir and create a social-media buzz in the lead-up to the broadcast. The film can be viewed here. On the day of the service, there was a lot of extra work involved behind the scenes with Classic FM’s team of engineers beginning their set-up in the morning in time for the final afternoon rehearsal. The school is very grateful to Reverend Jonathan Wilkes, Rector at All Saints Church for allowing the broadcast to take place and officiating at the service. thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 Commercial Choir Recordings: Metropolis The beginning of November saw Metropolis for two further days of ten trebles making their way to the recordings. This time, the boys were renowned recording being both filmed and recorded for a studio complex, Metropolis. In a fiercely global rebranding pitch to Danone. At competitive commercial market, the the time of writing, it is unknown if the choir had been chosen to record pitch will be commissioned into a full Christmas carol arrangements to be series of commercials. Chiswick-based used in a number of light-hearted TV commercials for UKTV Gold over the festive period. With a tight schedule for the day and numerous onlookers from the production company present, the boys were under some pressure to deliver. However, they took the occasion in their stride and sung admirably, with both their focus and professionalism being commended by all. The final adverts can be heard here: https://drive.google.com/open? id=0BxvZM-WykqCxdmcyT0NjbjZfVmc Following on from the success of this first recording, the production company Adelphoi Music, who had booked the choir for the initial session, asked for sixteen boys to return to thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 Tiffin Oratorio, Mendelssohn—Elijah The Tiffin Oratorio Choir has been one of the defining features of Tiffin School since the early 1960s. The aims of the choir are many: to give new Year 7 students an immersive initiation into the world of choral singing and orchestral music; to develop a sense of community engaging young and old, students, parents, teachers and friends alike; to enable the largest number of people to sing with a professional orchestra and soloists; and, most of all, to share a love of great music with the local community. The performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah, on 20th November in the Sports Hall, marked James Day’s second Tiffin Oratorio and was attended by a hugely appreciative audience of over 350. The choir was accompanied by members of the Brandenburg Symphony Orchestra and welcomed soloists Rebecca Hardwick, Amy Lyddon, Hiroshi Amako and James Oldfield. thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 Ensembles Concert: School Hall In November school’s Dance of the Mirlitons and the Guitar instrumental ensembles performed in Ensemble, led by Fiona Thurston playing the Main School Hall. The Wind Band Handel’s Sarabande and Variation. The opened the evening with Uptown Funk evening concluded with the School (Ronson, Mars) followed by a Lennon, Orchestra fully demonstrating their McCartney medley, Hard Days’ Night / talents in the thrilling first movement of She Loves You. This was followed by the Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8, led by Jim String Tse and conducted by Director of Music, Ensemble, the led by Julie Monument, Matthew the school’s O’Malley. The of evening was a Strings, playing fine showcase Moor’s Dance of the work by Susato, and that goes on in then the Head the Music Chamber Department Orchestra (other than playing Corelli’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6 choral singing) with over 15 ensembles No. 8, also known as the ‘Christmas rehearsing weekly, some of which Concerto’. would not be taking place without the smaller It was good to see two ensembles taking part, generous support of FoTM. There will illustrating the hard work that goes into be plenty more to enjoy at the Chamber weekly rehearsals led by our peripatetic Music concert taking place on 15th staff: the Clarinet Choir, directed by March in the Walden Hall. Sarah Douglas, playing Tchaikovsky’s thebaton—Autumn 2016 Above and left—The School Orchestra rehearse the 1st Movement of Dvorak’s ‘Symphony No.8’. Above—Students from String Orchestra rehearsing ’John Williams Film Themes’. thebaton—Autumn 2016 BT Christmas Concert: Royal Albert Hall ‘It's difficult to decide on my favourite gave me a whole new perspective. I part of the evening as the whole would love to take part again! The experience was utterly astounding, but, evening is an experience that I will keep During the last week of term 40 The atmosphere was happy and jolly I'd say the encores (that lasted half an with me for the rest of my life, and wish trebles were selected to take part in and there were so many people! I hour!) were my favourite part as it felt to repeat.’ — Henry Studholme 7OB the BT Christmas Concert at the Royal absolutely loved it. My favourite part of as if we were part of the audience, in ‘My favourite part was the santa Albert Hall. This concert of festive the evening was at the end of the one big Christmas-y party. Whilst I hats, my least favourite the wait during delights was presented by Chris Hollins, concert where we put on our santa didn’t enjoy the long, stuffy wait in the the rehearsal. This was my first time at and included a wide range of Christmas hats and had fun in the snow! We sang dressing room it was worth it. Although the Royal Albert Hall and I would love to music from traditional carols, opera with smiles all around and had the time I’ve been to the Royal Albert Hall perform there again.’— Aayush Kumar solos to favourite hits. The boys were of our lives! I think I enjoyed every several times as a spectator, performing 7AGW a in good company singing alongside the second of it. Well..... maybe not whilst London Concert Chorus, the Band of we waited for the pizza! I would love to Her Majesty’s Marines and the London come here again and enjoy all the fun Concert Orchestra, all conducted by again. I would like to thank everyone John Rigby. There was also plenty of for the experience and hope the next audience participation too with the year of children will enjoy it as much as conductor leading the entire audience we did!’— Jaiveer Johal 7BR in ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. For many of the boys this was their first taste of a packed audience at the Royal Albert Hall and they certainly enjoyed themselves, despite the long wait after the rehearsal and the late return home. Here is a selection of their comments: 'This was my first time in the Royal Albert Hall and it was AMAZING! thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 Friends of Tiffin Music Quiz Christmas Jazz Evening: School Hall At the beginning of December the annual Friends of Tiffin Music Quiz took The Autumn term’s music events drew to a close with the ever popular evening of place in the Main Hall. This is always a popular event and this year was no Christmas Jazz directed by Leo Appleyard, Jake Fryer and Simon Ferris. Both the exception selling out before the date of the quiz. A highly competitive field of Swing Band and Thames Youth Jazz Orchestra have undergone considerable parents was joined by three tables from Year 7 – The Jaffa Cakes (7JAF), Obi Wan rebuilding since the departure of key personnel last year but they kept the audience Kenobe (7OB), The Enthusiasts (7DB) - and there were two teams from Year 9, plus rapt with attention and demanding encore after encore. There was plenty of the representatives from Years 10 and 12. Tiffin parent and Political Editor of the usual Big Band repertoire and finishing with a Latin section which tempted a few Financial Times, George Parker, had kindly volunteered his services as Quiz Master; his calm authority and subtle wit steered the evening along smoothly and despite a couple of technical hitches the Quiz even finished at a reasonable time. The wonderful FoTM bar team, spearheaded by Katharine and Patrick Gibson, managed a clever double act of serving drinks and shouting out the answers; someone was dispatched to replenish supplies of Prosecco, the bar having been drunk dry by a certain table of ladies. Despite stiff opposition the winning team was (7)BR Bright Sparks – a parent/boy combination comprising Paul & Kim Sloan, Manjit & Bob Chana, Graham & Robbie MacPherson, Simon Underhill & Marcus VilayUnderhill. The much prized trophy – the model Santa House - will be returned in time for next year’s winners. A total of just under £1,000 was raised – an excellent result. brave dancers to take to the floor. It was great to see some of the recently departed players, home for the holidays, supplementing the line-up. Congratulations to new vocalist, Henry Saywell (12KD), who clearly made his mark on his debut and will no doubt grow in confidence the more he performs. Our thanks go to the FoTM bar volunteers who have worked so hard this term in supporting all the music events and raising funds for the Music Department. thebaton—Autumn 2016 thebaton—Autumn 2016 Upcoming Events: Spring 2017 Thurs 12th Jan Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Evensong, St Luke’s Church, 5:30pm Wed 1st Feb House Singing Competition Final, Sports Hall, 7:00pm Thurs 9th Feb Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Evensong, St Luke’s Church, 5:30pm Thurs 9th March Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Evensong, St Luke’s Church, 5:30pm Sat 11th March Tiffin Boys Choir, Titanic Live, Royal Albert Hall, 2:30 & 7:30pm Wed 15th March Chamber Music Concert, Walden Hall, 7:00pm Wed 22nd March Tiffin Boys’ Choir Concert, All Saints Kingston, 7:00pm Thurs 30th March School Concert, All Saints Kingston, 7:00pm Mon 3rd April Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Evensong, Westminster Abbey, 5:00pm Tues 4th April AS Level Music Recitals, Walden Hall, 7:00pm Sat 8th April Mahler Symphony No.8, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Festival hall, 7:00pm FoTM Comittee Anil Dasani—Chairman Andrew Langford—Treasurer Simon Jones Viv Bywater —Membership Secretary Marisa Waymouth Katharine Gibson—Refreshments Clair Newton thebaton—Autumn 2016
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