Time to Face the music: The musical goings on In St. Wolstans at the Minute.....

Before Christmas is always a time of business in the music department! What with the carol service coming up, the annual inter-schools Choir Competition just around the corner and the famous 'Music-Night' not far off, there is a lot to get through. As we TYs have much more time and opportunity this year without the stress of exams, to be taking part in extra-curricular activities like orchestra, choir and trad group, many of us have a huge involvement with the music department. Here's just a taster of what's going on:


Choir: 

• The choir arrange a programme every year for the annual carol service, including time honoured carols and hymns such as'Silent Night', 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' and 'Joy to the World' to name but a few. Solos often include the beautiful 'O, Holy Night'.
• There's loads of excitement at the moment, because for many of us, it will be our first time taking part in the Inter-schools choir Competition!! Under the watchful eye of Ms. O'R and Ms. M, the choir will perform the beautiful 'Caresse sur l'Ocean' from the film 'Les Choristes'. This piece is so lovely and we are all really excited about singing it- however, there is a catch!! It's in French!! This has been a bit of a struggle for me and some other girls, as we learn Spanish, (which is totally different!) but with the help of some of the older (french-speaking!) girls it has become easier. It's actually really fun learning the song in a new language!!
• Here's a clip of the piece being performed by some of the cast from the film in 2005/2006:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEs1wtsw_IA

Trad Group

• Ms. S and Mr. K are the two teachers this year in charge of the Trad group. For the carol service they arranged medleys of traditional pieces. These tunes range from jigs and fast reels, to slow Irish airs, all of which are beautiful. They include 'Harvest Home', Maggie in the Wood' and pieces like that. Though I am not exactly sure what their repetoire is, I think they played those two before but I could be wrong!!

Orchestra

• This year, Ms. M has taken charge of the Orchestra as conductor! We practice every Friday at lunch time, however call extra practices coming up to events like the carol service. Having recruited new members it's getting bigger- There are a wide enough range of instruments this year, with the sections growing each rehersal it seems! Currently, we have flutes, violins, a viola (I think) clarinets, alternating piano players, a triangle player (triangalist?) and a flourishing percussion section, with bird whistles, woodblock, tambourine, spoons etc. For the Carol service we have a big programme this year, ranging from traditional religious carols such as 'Away in a Manger', 'While Shepards Watched their Flocks' and 'The First Noel', to more upbeat, fun numbers like 'Jingle Bells' and 'We Wish you a Merry Christmas'. We finished up with the lovely 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas', which went down well. It was a nice way to prepare us members for the holidays and Christmas season!!
• We aren't sure just yet what is next on the agenda pieces-wise but we are all certainly looking forward to the new year!!