Milton Magazine - Milton Academy

Dame Glennie began her campus visit with a master class, working with percussionist Liz Bloom ’08.“Then of course came the concert inthe evening. King Theatre was a perfectvenue for this concert. The stage set createdan intimacy quite different fromother theatre events. The concert featuredmusic from the 20th century; except forone piece, all was composed for DameGlennie. The first piece by Rzewski,based on a seventh-century poem, waswritten for voice and for flowerpots. Thenext two pieces were for solo marimba.Following that was a piece for maracasand prerecorded tape by the Mexicancomposer Javier Alvarez. The first halfconcluded with another multipercussionmarimba piece called Barracuda. Thatpiece was my favorite. It was very difficultand included not only marimba, but alsoother percussion instruments. It alsowas extremely rhythmic, and coordinatingthe marimba and other instrumentswas very hard.“The second half featured four pieces,probably highlighted by a piece forsolo snare drum called Prim by AskellMasson. Students mentioned thispiece, which required incredible concentration,as a favorite. The pieceended with a long roll on the snaredrum, perhaps four minutes long.Dame Glennie started it very slowlyand then sped it up gradually. It gotlouder and louder, then softer andsofter, creating harmonics on the drumitself. It then ended not only with thisroll, but also with a few extra soft notes,and finally, a loud bang. Everyone inthe theatre was held spellbound.”The Gratwick Concert is always eagerlyanticipated and long remembered. Dr.Mitchell Gratwick, a former Academy facultymember, established this series as agift to the School in memory of his wife,Katharine Perkins Gratwick, Girls’ SchoolClass of 1924 and a cellist. The concertseries has continued as an unbroken traditionfor 78 years. Designed primarily togive students the rare opportunity to hearworld-class artists in an intimate setting,the concert is usually held in Straus andhalf of the room is reserved for students.This year, due to the nature of the performanceand requirements of space, lightingand sound, the concert was held inKing Theatre.Milton Magazine 55