Old_Cliftonian_Mag_2011

at the Choral Congers concert at the end
of the Lent term. This was a spirited event
and showed the pupils in fine voice. The
most popular musical numbers were once
again the pupils’ favourite hymns: ‘Shine
Jesus shine’ was sung with gusto!
January saw the return of the Fine Arts
Brass Ensemble for their third visit to
Clifton in recent times, having previously
performed in 2004 and 2006. Their
comprehensive day began in the
preparatory school with a demonstration
of brass music, with special focus on the
fanfare. The younger pupils were clearly
inspired by the fabulous performances
and we hope that a new wave of brass
players will be motivated to take up a
new instrument. Later in the day there
were master classes with Clifton pupils
and Fine Arts Brass also gave a world
premiere performance of a Theme and
Variations written by GCSE student Daniel
Baryshnikov (ST). The day came to a
climax with an evening recital in chapel
at which FABE were joined by the upper
school Chapel and Chamber Choirs in a
programme of eclectic musical styles, from
CH Parry to Duke Ellington.
The Autumn and Spring concerts in Big
School maintained their popularity this
year and gave a diverse range of musical
groups an opportunity to perform in
public. Cello ensemble, recorder club,
numerous saxophone ensembles, jazz
workshop, brass ensemble, Concert Big
Band and others gave polished and well
received performances.
There were also opportunities for
Cliftonians to get immersed in all types
of informal music making and the regular
acoustic guitar nights in the JCR are
just such examples. The evenings are
characterised by a warm appreciation
amongst pupils and we are constantly
surprised by new emerging talent which
often comes to the fore. On a grander
scale the evergreen band night in Lent
term in the Redgrave Theatre continues to
attract a large and appreciative audience.
Long may that important strand of music
making continue. Thanks go of course to
Jerry Crozier-Cole and Andy Davis for their
support in these ventures.
Although serious in their own right, the
Blues and Soul nights have an informal
and fun feel too, and audiences for
this talented group have been enjoying
numerous performances over the course
of the year. Perhaps their most high
profile concert was at Commem when they
performed in the marquee on Friday night.
There were many exciting individual
performances and it was pleasing to see
much younger talent emerging from year
10 (Charlotte Bresnahan, Mabel Moll,
Dylan Trenouth) to complement some of
the old-timers!
The orchestra performs at three of the
most prestigious concerts of the year; the
Christmas concert in Michaelmas term,
the Joseph Cooper concert in Lent term
and the Commem concert in the summer
term. Under the expert leadership of Martin
Pring and his dedicated team of supporting
staff the orchestra has grown in stature
in recent months and makes a thrilling
and exciting sound. During the recent ISI
inspection the lead inspector, himself a
distinguished musician, was heard to pass
comment on the excellent string playing.
Indeed, the Inspection’s overall finding
that the provision for music at the College
is exceptional bears testament to all of the
hard work that occurs on a daily basis in
the music school.
James Hills
Director of Music
A great night for Clifton
Congratulations to Oliver Gittings and
Lana Trimmer, who came 2nd and
3rd respectively, in the Bristol Rotary
Young Musician Competition held in the
Greta Hall of Bristol Grammar School on
Friday 15th October.
The Rotary Young Musician competition,
now in its eighth year, is a fantastic event
which gives a platform to the cream
of young musicians. The standard of
musicianship rises year on year, enabling
young talent to gain valuable experience
and test their skills against all manner of
vocal and instrumental competition.
Oliver played Sarabande from Partita No 1
(J S Bach), the 2nd movement of Strauss’
violin sonata, and Scherzo-Tarantelle by
Wieniawski on violin; while Lana chose
Zigeunerweisen (Sarasate), Estrellita
(Ponce) and Perpetuum Mobile (Novacek),
also on violin.
Very well done to both Upper School pupils.
44 the CLIFTON MAGAZINE 2011