The <strong>Stopfordian</strong> <strong>2011</strong>–<strong>2012</strong> A visit to Ogwen Mountain Rescue Base learning about <strong>the</strong> equipment and practising scenarios Bushcraft – learning how to light a fire Scrambling Tryfan scrambling Adam and Eve on <strong>the</strong> summit of Tryfan – not for those with a fear of heights! C.S. Muscutt 66 Music, Trips Drama and Art
The <strong>Stopfordian</strong> <strong>2011</strong>–<strong>2012</strong> MUSIC Once again it has been ano<strong>the</strong>r busy and very rewarding year in <strong>the</strong> Music Department. Our pupils continue to show dedication and commitment, producing performances time and again of which <strong>the</strong> school can be extremely proud. Every day <strong>the</strong>re is at least one rehearsal, often several, in preparation for <strong>the</strong> next concert, recital or service. And this year provided a fitting opportunity to celebrate <strong>the</strong> 525 th anniversary of <strong>the</strong> school through a number of musical events. For many <strong>the</strong> highlight of <strong>the</strong> year was <strong>the</strong> outstanding production of Oliver! in March. More than any o<strong>the</strong>r Music- Drama collaboration in recent years this was very much a celebration of <strong>the</strong> whole school and featured approximately 200 boys and girls of all ages in a wide variety of roles both on-stage and off. The music was stunning from start to finish and congratulations go to every single member of <strong>the</strong> chorus and band as well as all <strong>the</strong> leads for <strong>the</strong>ir parts in such a memorable show. Special mention should also be made of Ollie Mills for composing and musically directing <strong>the</strong> excellent performances of Clusical with <strong>the</strong> Year Six pupils in <strong>the</strong> Junior School. This was <strong>the</strong> first such collaboration between <strong>the</strong> Senior and Junior schools in recent years and all <strong>the</strong> more impressive given that this took place some three weeks after Ollie had just starred as Fagin in Oliver! Choral Music continues to thrive at <strong>Stockport</strong> <strong>Grammar</strong>. Approximately 120 pupils in Chorus produced an outstanding performance of Haydn’s Nelson Mass in February at <strong>the</strong> Gala Choral Concert in <strong>the</strong> RNCM in collaboration with Chorale, Cheshire Sinfonia and professional soloists. Chamber Choir provided an uplifting start to this concert with a rousing performance of Handel’s The King Shall Rejoice and also lit up <strong>the</strong> Founders’ Day service with Mendelssohn’s O For <strong>the</strong> Wings of a Dove. Maddie Hardy should be congratulated on her delightful solo in this in front of <strong>the</strong> whole school, a feat she repeated equally well on Speech Day. Junior Singers have excelled again under <strong>the</strong> direction of Mrs Short and have given accomplished performances of repertoire ranging from Godfrey’s Day by Day to Rule <strong>the</strong> World by Take That. One of <strong>the</strong> highlights of <strong>the</strong> Autumn Concert was <strong>the</strong> performance of Strauss’ Horn Concerto in E flat by First Orchestra, with Stephen Dickie (U6) featuring as a highly distinguished soloist. It is an outstanding achievement to perform such a demanding piece at this age. String Orchestra has continued from strength to strength under <strong>the</strong> direction of Mr Griffith, and both pupils and audience alike greatly enjoyed <strong>the</strong> Piazzolla Latin American dances at <strong>the</strong> Autumn Concert that Mr Griffith himself had arranged. Pupils in Second Orchestra demonstrated that <strong>the</strong> future of instrumental music will be in safe hands with a polished account of a movement from Haydn’s Military Symphony conducted by Mrs Short. Mrs Taylor has worked extremely hard to develop and streng<strong>the</strong>n wind playing at SGS. All three of <strong>the</strong> wind bands have consistently given excellent performances throughout <strong>the</strong> year. Junior Band highlights have included pieces such as You’ve Got a Friend in Me, Jamaican Farewell and Spider Pig. Concert Band delighted audiences with <strong>the</strong> likes of Ritual Fire Dance, Stevie Wonder in Concert and The Final Countdown. Wind Orchestra have similarly impressed with pieces ranging from arrangements of Bizet’s Farandole and Custer’s Forest Gump Suite to <strong>the</strong> obligatory Sleigh Ride at <strong>the</strong> Christmas Concert. Moreover, those present will be unlikely to forget <strong>the</strong> memorable rendition of The Stripper at <strong>the</strong> Leavers’ Concert, and in particular <strong>the</strong> prominent solo contributions of Edward Greaves and Suzy Eames! A significant development in recent years has been <strong>the</strong> formation of <strong>the</strong> Brass Ensemble. This year <strong>the</strong> band has been stronger than ever thanks largely to <strong>the</strong> great encouragement and direction provided by Mrs Johnson, and performances at <strong>the</strong> Autumn and Summer Concerts were extremely well received. Mr Griffith has similarly led <strong>the</strong> establishment of a jazz tradition at SGS, and <strong>the</strong> bands have given excellent performances during <strong>the</strong> year of numbers such as Oye Como Va and Spain. The members of A Brighter Shade of Orange were invited to play in <strong>the</strong> Wellspring Variety Show at <strong>Stockport</strong> Plaza Theatre in December, presented by Gordon Burns, and impressed a full house with <strong>the</strong>ir performances of Hide and Seek, Here’s That Rainy Day and Sonnymoon for Two. Both of <strong>the</strong> Big Bands have similarly benefited from <strong>the</strong> outstanding leadership of Mr White, giving sparkling performances of numbers such as Route 66, Mack <strong>the</strong> Knife, Virtual Insanity and High Maintenance at <strong>the</strong> Leaver’s Concert. Interspersed between <strong>the</strong> above concerts, services and shows, several lunchtime and after-school recitals have provided opportunities for individual performances, and my thanks here go especially to Mrs Johnson for organising <strong>the</strong>se. I should also congratulate all those that have conquered <strong>the</strong>ir nerves to perform solos on <strong>the</strong>se occasions and also in <strong>the</strong> Music Festival, adjudicated by Mr Andrew Dean, which once again provided a fitting end to <strong>the</strong> year and displayed <strong>the</strong> outstanding talent of our musicians. The end of <strong>the</strong> Summer Term also featured a wonderful weekend of music-making and outdoor pursuits in <strong>the</strong> Lake District. In between sessions of ghyll walking, canoeing, archery, raft building, hill walking and orienteering, we rehearsed and performed various choral and instrumental numbers and found time for <strong>the</strong> traditional cabaret, featuring some excellent items… …….and also a number of o<strong>the</strong>r ones. (I think here largely of <strong>the</strong> staff item, which survived one or two changes in personnel this year to maintain <strong>the</strong> dreadful standard of recent years.) A special thank you again to Mrs Taylor for her meticulous organisation of <strong>the</strong> weekend. Finally, I should congratulate certain pupils on distinctive individual achievements: James Holt, Stephen Dickie and Edward Greaves gained places in <strong>the</strong> Hallé Youth Choir; Jennifer Kent was invited to join <strong>the</strong> National Youth Choir; Alex Jones (double bass) gained a place in <strong>the</strong> National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain and Henry Brearley was awarded a Public Recital Prize at <strong>the</strong> Oundle Festival Advanced Organ Scholars’ Course. Overall, it has been a wonderful year. I repeat my thanks to all my colleagues in <strong>the</strong> Music department – Mrs Taylor, Mrs Short and Mrs Johnson – as well as all <strong>the</strong> peripatetic Music teachers, who collectively teach approximately 250 music lessons in <strong>the</strong> department each week. Thanks also to o<strong>the</strong>r academic staff, <strong>the</strong> caretakers and catering team for all <strong>the</strong>ir additional help with <strong>the</strong> running of concerts. M. Dow Music, Drama and Art 67
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