SHENSTON IAN 88 - Old Silhillians Association

JUNIOR SCHOOL SUMMER CONCERT, AND 'SWEENEY TODD'.
The Junior School Summer Concert is always an oasis of calm in the frenzy of
the end-of-year clearing up. As usual, we were treated to enthusiastic and able
perfomances given to a gratifyingly large audience.
The Junior School Orchestra, led by Simon Williams, started the proceedings
with two numbers from Space Travellers, by Bruce Lawrence. It is remarkable that
year after year Mrs Spurrell is able to produce a substantial orchestra, which plays
already in a relaxed and professional way.
Orchestras depend on a supply of violinists, which is why they are usually so
rare in junior schools. Mrs Spurrell and Mrs Solomon work to such admirable
effect, however, that in addition to the orchestral item we were able to hear a trio
of violinists (Simon Williams, Robert Love and Nathan Downing) play an
arrangement of 'Lift Thine Eyes' from Mendelssohn's Elijah. This item was
followed by a brass trio of two trumpets and a trombone (Guy Deeming, Michael
Fletcher and Christopher Jones) playing music by Fleming and Schumann. The last
item in Part 1 was a charming account of a Purcell Rondo for two recorders and
cello (Richard Gibbs, Jamie Andrews and Louis Meryon), this showed real
understanding of ensemble by the young players.
Part 2 of the concert was a spirited performance by the Junior School
Percussion Group of 'Hand me down my silver Trumpet, Gabriel!'. Mr. Allen has
developed this type of work very greatly, and it is delightful to see the obvious
enjoyment of the players and observe their commitment.
Finally, in Part 3, we were treated to another remarkable 'happening'. This
time , Mrs Instone had chosen the grisly tale of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber,
by Carey Blyton with a script written by Mrs Instone herself. The excellent set was
dominated by an ingenious collapsing barber's chair designed by Mr. Belcher,
which despatched the murdered customers via a chute to the cellar, where they
were processed into meat pies by the gin-soaked Mrs Covett. (It is of course not as
sinister as it seems to notice that our gifted kitchen manager had helped with
properties by producing the said meat pies: Mr Bayley assures me that every Junior
School boy is accounted for and will return home for the holidays.) The set itself
was flanked by the raked choir, in fine Victorian costumes designed by Mrs Davies.
The choir acted as both commentator and chorus.
Jamie Andrews was the self-assured narrator. Thomas Spittle, resplendent in
mustachios of decidedly repulsive aspect, went about his foul business with great
enthusiasm and an excellent singing voice. His final downfall was encompassed by
his new apprentice Tobias Ragg (presumably a replacement for a predecessor who
had been turned into sausages), the returned seafarer Mark Ingestre (performed by
Adam Collins with a fine stage presence) and his sweetheart Joanna Oakley (Neil
Dodson), and the Law represented by Christopher Jones. The observant passer-by
was Guy Deeming.
Mrs Instone, as producer, has that art which conceals art which only excellent
producers have. She is able to impose on a large group of people order, and above
all stillness when it is needed. Perhaps it can only be truly appreciated by those who
have witnesssed elesewhere the choas and fidgeting which beset amateur
productions. It makes a superb setting for excellent singing, which is what we were
treated to thanks to the work of Mr Irving. At a time when choral singing in English
schools is in general either lamentable or non-existent, it is our great good fortune
to be treated to the clear, tuneful and well-produced voices of the soloists and choir
alike.
Our thanks for a most enjoyable afternoon to the large number of boys who
took part, and to the many members of staff who enabled this production to run so
smoothly.
DMT
R.S.P.B. Bird Films.
On 17th November 1987, Solihull Junior School went to the Solihull Library
Theatre to watch an array of bird films by the R.S.P.B.
The first was a film about migrating birds and their long dangerous flights over
seas and rugged landscapes.
The second was about the everyday life of a puffin. It showed how it lived on
cold damp rock faces, and caught fish from the water with ease.
The final film was about river birds. It showed us how birds cope in the rivers
and marshes of Britain. It was amazing how each bird had its own methods of
survival.
Between films, a talk was given by the chairman of the Solihull R.S.P.B.
association. The films were enthralling to watch, and I hope that there will be more
showing of them in the near future.