QSCOY 2024 - programme

PROGRAMME

2024 PROGRAMME 2024

WELCOME

W e l c o m e

to Qatar School Choir of the Year 2024! I am delighted to be hosting my first QSCoY Competition as Director of Music at Doha College, with this being the sixth year of the event. Uniting children through singing is our mission statement and we strongly believe in the power of music and collaboration in raising the vocal skill, confidence and enjoyment of our young musicians. Over the two-day event, students have engaged in a variety of vocal workshops with esteemed adjudicator and choral expert Alison McNeill, and we are so grateful to her for her expertise and guidance to all students in this year’s competition. I would also like to thank Olga Protopopova and Zlatan Fazlić for their support and adjudication - we are thrilled to collaborate with fellow music centres in Qatar and share experiences. Thanks are also extended to all the students, music departments, schools, support services and parents for their participation and preparation for the event.

For now, we ask you to sit back, relax and enjoy the wonderful music prepared for you by our talented students and their music teachers!

WILLIAM MORROW QSCoY Director

“ Motto: Uniting children through singing

Introduction to QSCOY

Originally called “Qatar Primary School Choir of the Year,” the competition was brought to life in 2017 by a team of music teachers, parent volunteers and choir enthusiasts from Doha College, to add new breadth to the music education in Qatar.

The competition anthem “Wings of the Falcon” - a rousing song that was the set piece of the inaugural QSCoY edition – was composed by Dana Al Fardan, ambassador, Qatari composer of international prominence, an alumna of Doha College and a champion of music education.

Following the rise of QSCoY, Qatar has seen choirs emerging or doubling in size, grander performances in local events, and widened participation in the competition itself, year on year. Owing to the continued success of the QSCoY model, we are excited to have expanded the competition, and welcome choirs from secondary schools also.

“

QSCOY Mission

To enable children to experience and enjoy each other’s musical heritage, to give them a platform that encourages a touch of competitive spirit, with the desire to perform and excel, to contribute to Qatar’s vision for 2030 by enriching the education in performing arts.

2024

Uniting children through singing

HEAT 1 - 6 MARCH, 9.15AM

Ages 5-8

School:

Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

GEMS Wellington School

GEMS Wellington Choir

Sarah Atya

Claire Martin

Naughty - by Tim Minchin

Doha College

DC Prestos

Hannah McHugh

Ryan Sullivan

The Candy Man - by L. Bricusse and A. Newley

King’s College Doha

King’s College KS1 Choir

Michelle Young

Sandra Hernández Rodríguez

Light a Candle for Peaceby Shelley Murle

Compass International School

Compass International 5-8 Choir

Naomi Hoare

Naomi Hoare

Make Your Own Kind of Musicby Cass Elliot

In addition to the free choice song, each choir in Heat 1 will also sing the set piece ‘ The Moon ’ by Andy Beck

Uniting children through singing

HEAT 2 - 6 MARCH, 1.30PM

Ages 7-118

2024

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School:

Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

Al Khor International School

AKIS Choir

Jo-Mari Reynolds

Richard McPherson

Rhythm of Life - by Cy Coleman

and Dorothy Fields

American School of Doha

American School of Doha Elementary Choir

Brita Fray

Lisa Cheung

El Vito - arr. Emily Crocker

Doha College

DC Fortes

Paulo Vicente

Ryan Sullivan

Macavity from Cats -

by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Doha English Speaking School

DESS Voice Squad

Andrew Woodhouse

Jonathon Heslop

The Puzzle - by Andy Beck

In addition to the free choice song, each choir in Heat 2 will also sing the set piece ‘ The Water is Wide (with Bring Me a Little Water, Sylvie) ’ - arr. Rollo Dilworth

Uniting children through singing

HEAT 2 - 6 MARCH (cont.)

Ages 7-11

School:

Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School:

Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

Compass International School

Compass International 7-11 Choir

Sara Connolly

Naomi Hoare

Somewhere Only We Know - by Keane

Sherborne Qatar

Sherborne Qatar Prep Choir

Riikka Rebekka Bills

Sandra Hernández Rodríguez

Why We Sing - by Greg Gilpin

Oryx International School Doha

Oryx Year 4-6 Choir

Cathryn Navarro

Victoria Salazar

Whisper! - by Greg Gilpin

In addition to the free choice song, each choir in Heat 2 will also sing the set piece ‘ The Water is Wide (with Bring Me a Little Water, Sylvie) ’ - arr. Rollo Dilworth

Uniting children through singing

HEAT 3 - 7 MARCH, 11AM

Ages 11-188

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

School: Choir:

Conductor:

Accompanist:

Free Choice Song:

Doha College

DC Voices

Hayley McGivern

Ryan Sullivan

Adiemus - by Karl Jenkins

Oryx International School Doha

Oryx Senior Choir

Marianna Teixeira

Victoria Salazar

Pompeii - by Dan Smith arr. J. Naverud

Sherborne Qatar

Sherborne Qatar Senior Choir

Riikka Rebekka Bills

Sandra Hernández Rodríguez

Easy On Me - by Adele Adkins

and Greg Kurstin

King’s College Doha

King’s College Senior Concert Choir

Mark Young

Mia Park Torchinski

Over the Rainbow - arr. Joanna Forbes

Park House English School

Park House English School Choir

Gabriela Nuñez

Nicole Ng

The Greatest Show - arr. Mark Brymer

In addition to the free choice song, each choir in Heat 3 will also sing the set piece ‘Fire and Ice’ by Emily Crocker

Uniting children through singing

FINAL - 7 MARCH, 5PM

National Anthem - please be upstanding

Presented by William Morrow

GEMS Wellington (ages 5-8)

King’s College Doha KS1 Choir (ages 5-8)

Doha College Fortes (ages 7-11)

Oryx International School (ages 7-11)

Al Khor International School (ages 7-11)

American School of Doha (ages 7-11)

King’s College Doha Senior Concert Choir (ages 11-18)

Park House English School (ages 11-18)

Interval and Adjudication

Qatar Junior Youth Choir

Mad About Mozart - arr. E Rentz and Z. Fazli ć

Conductor: Z. Fazli ć

Accompanist: Denys Bodnar

Presentation of certificates and trophies by Alison McNeill

ADJUDICATORS

Scottish conductor, soprano and fiddle player Alison McNeill graduated with a Masters in Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and went on to study in Spain with legendary mezzo soprano Teresa Berganza, performing as a soloist in the National Auditorium of Galicia, Ateneo (Madrid), the De Falla Auditorium (Granada) and in the foundations of composers Lorca, Manuel de Falla and Rodrigo with scholarships from the RCS Trust and ABRSM.

In a busy and varied career, she has performed as a soloist all over the UK, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Japan, Pakistan, Kenya, USA and Mexico. Alison’s career highlights include singing as soprano soloist for Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and Verdi’s Requiem with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the Royal Concert Hall, winning the Andres Segovia prize for Spanish Song in Spain (the only non-native speaker to win this award), touring Mexico with early music ensemble Ditirambo. As gifted recitalist, Alison formed the McNeill Savaloni Duo with classical guitarist Sasha Savaloni, which has seen the pair broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland’s Classics Unwrapped and become Artists in Residence for

Enterprise Music Scotland‘s Chamber Music Project, and culminating in a new commission for the duo at the Internationally renowned St. Magnus Festival in Orkney. Broadcasts include BBC Introducing at Celtic Connections, BBC Radio nan Gael, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 4, Pakistani, Spanish TV and Mexican National TV. As fiddler and songwriter in award-winning folk-rock band Reely Jiggered, Alison has performed in venues across the world, winning the O2ABC Soundwave competition, and looks forward to tours of Virginia (USA), Denmark and Kenya this year. (www. reelyjiggered.co.uk).

Alison is highly respected as a choral conductor, with the Herald describing her conducting style as “succinct… commanding undivided attention.” She has extensive experience in working with choirs at the highest level, creating exciting and engaging cross art form experiences for singers and audiences alike. Alison is Director of the NYCNI’s 100 strong Junior Choir and new Boys Choir, Director of National Youth Choir of Scotland’s National Boys Choir and Training Choir, founding Director of Voices of Argyll, which provides opportunities for singers in rural areas using the Argyll landscape as its concert hall and commissioning cultural fusion works celebrating Scotland’s diversity. Alison is Associate Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Youth Choruses, who regularly perform with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall and Edinburgh International Festival. www.alisonmcneill.com

ALISON PLAYS SUPERBLY IN A VARIETY OF STYLES, SINGS LIKE AN ANGEL AND SHE HAS A NATURAL ABILITY TO TEACH. STUDENTS’ INHIBITIONS SEEM TO MELT AWAY AS A RESULT OF HER PATIENCE, FIRMNESS AND HUMOUR.”

OLGA PROTOPOPOVA

Olga graduated with distinction from the world-acclaimed Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Academy of Music (Kyiv Conservatory), and subsequently worked as a professional accompanist to world-renowned vocal tutors, and has extensive experience working with international singers. She has built considerable experience in the Middle East, including four years in Jordan, where she taught numerous high-level students and staged many classical concerts. Since 2006, Olga has been Principal for the International Centre for Music in Doha, where she continued to be a munificent mentor with a passion and commitment to excellence.

ZLATAN FAZLIĆ

Zlatan Fazlić, born in the former Yugoslavia, graduated from the University of Sarajevo and continued music studies at the Guildhall School of Music in London. With over 25 years of teaching experience, he has led Music and Performing Arts departments in the UK. Passionate about jazz, musical theatre, and choral conducting, Zlatan achieved success with choirs, winning numerous competitions in the UK (1995-2019), and he directed various productions. Relocating to Qatar in August 2021, he now directs the award-winning Qatar Youth Junior and Senior Choir at Qatar Music Academy, contributing his diverse musical background and extensive experience to the local music education.

Having been a part of the Doha College community for nine years, people often ask me what makes DC special?

From the incredible children and families who are at the centre of our community, to the fantastic, dedicated team of caring teachers, DC really is a remarkable place. Recognised as a ‘leading centre of excellence across the region’ in our recent BSO inspection, Doha College really does make a difference to our students and families.

THE DOHA COLLEGE DIFFERENCE:

Doha College distinguishes itself by the standards it sets and by the achievements of its students. Across the Primary school, high-quality teaching and learning, with researchbased pedagogy at its heart, adds value to the children in our care.

The gap between Doha College students and their counterparts in the UK widens significantly across the primary school, with children in UKS2 (Years 5 and 6) writing at an equivalent of four years beyond their peers in the UK. This was highlighted and recognised in our recent BSO inspection, where Doha College was rated once again ‘Outstanding’.

This picture is reflected in reading and maths, and children moving on to DC Secondary from DC Primary hold a significant advantage over their peers in other schools in terms of their academic achievements and grounding. This level of academic rigour ensures that no student is left behind.

At Doha College, the curriculum delivered by our highly qualified teachers is designed to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for learning. Our lessons focus on developing not only the knowledge required for our young learners but also the skills that will allow them to thrive and become leaders in a global society. As the world’s first High Performance Learning school, we equip our students with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to fulfil their ambitions and achieve their goals and dreams.

Doha College, guided by a steadfast commitment to its students, operates as a not-for-profit institution that reinvests all its resources into enhancing educational quality, from securing top educators to improving facilities. This dedication ensures every aspect of the college focuses on fostering an environment where students can thrive, encapsulating its ethos:

For Pupils, Not for Profit.

Why Year 4?

Did you know that Year 4 is the biggest point of expansion at DC Primary?

From FS1 to Year 3, our primary school is organised into six forms of entry. At Year 4, the primary school expands to eight forms of entry.

This provides the biggest opportunity to join the DC community, with two extra classes being added. If you would like your child to become part of this amazing community of learning, register for our Year 4 taster day.

This will provide an opportunity for students and parents to experience the DC difference.

Beyond the classroom, Doha College provides a wealth of enriching experiences for our pupils in Primary. Children can engage in a variety of incredible CCA programmes. Furthermore, students engage in regular trips and a varied tapestry of opportunities that ensures they are encouraged to explore their passions, develop leadership skills and cultivate a sense of social responsibility.

The curriculum is designed to seamlessly transition students from Primary to Secondary school, ensuring continuity and coherence in their learning experiences. By instilling a strong work ethic, resilience, and a growth mindset, Doha College prepares students to face the challenges and opportunities that await them in Secondary education.

Derek Watson | Primary Deputy Head - Academic

Pursuit of Excellence

Striving for the highest standards of academic achievement, personal growth, and character development.

Global Perspective

Embracing diversity, fostering cultural understanding, and preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world.

INDEPENDENCE IN LEARNING

Emphasis on self-directed learning, where students have the autonomy to explore topics of interest example through our EPQ which offers opportunities for students to take charge of their education through project-based assignments and independent research.

Cultivation of critical thinking skills by encouraging students to question, analyse, and evaluate information independently.

BUILDING CULTURE IN TO OUTSTANDING EDUCATION

Lifelong Learning Empowerment and Responsibility

Empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey, make informed choices, and contribute positively to their communities.

Student initiatives

Instilling a passion for learning, critical thinking, and adaptability to equip students with the skills and mindset needed for success in an everevolving society.

Committees: Charities, Social, DEI, Eco, DCMUN/THIMUN, Debating, 6th Form band, 6th Form Newspaper and more.

Leadership and self-development opportunities

Run and deliver assemblies, Volunteering, Teaching younger students, 6th Form CCAs, Conferences, University fairs and more.

University and transition support

University workshops, Parents conferences, Mock interviews, Personal Statement support, Unifrog platfom. We offer pupils a wide variety of subject options and enhanced transition support for University placement.

TAKE A SEAT AT DOHA COLLEGE

Working with the careers team at Doha College has been a transformative experience for me. They have provided me with comprehensive guidance on using ‘Unifrog’ effectively, which has simplified the complexity of searching for the best universities and courses for me.

Madeleine. J | student at Doha College Year1 to Year 13

Thank you

About Doha College

We are one of the world’s leading British international schools. We enjoy an outstanding reputation for achievement in academia, sports, music, drama and arts. Our state-of the art campuses and facilities re ect our ongoing commitment to the pursuit of excellence.

At Doha College, we pride ourselves on our holistic approach to education. Students are consulted and engaged at every stage of their learning. Our teaching team are exceptional and we are very particular in the qualities and skills we require in recruiting the very best people.

A Doha College education reaches far beyond the curriculum. Students acquire skills that will serve them well as global citizens. We nurture the abilities to listen, to consider other perspectives, to form opinions and to have the con dence to stand up and be heard.

Doha College

PO Box 7506, Doha, State of Qatar

+974 4407 6777

enquiries@dohacollege com

www dohacollege com