Music

Parents often assume that the Autumn and Summer terms are the busy ones for the Music Department – whilst they most certainly are, the Spring term packs a punch too, with informal concerts for Years 5-8, trips and of course, the Inter-House Music Competition.

Year 3 were treated to an orchestral concert at Chichester Festival Theatre by the Southern Pro Symphony Orchestra. Perfect timing following a term learning of learning their chosen instruments. The programme was tailored towards children with classical favourites by Mozart, Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky to name a few. With audience participation and a magician compère, what’s not to like?

In March our younger choristers in Years 5 & 6 enjoyed a trip to Brighton College for their choral day. With over a hundred children joining forces to sing an eclectic mix of soul, gospel and classical there was also much to be enjoyed and experienced.

Many of you will remember Emily Han, our resident accompanist from last year. She had a solo concert at Chichester Cathedral and all the DH pianists were in for a real treat – she organised for us to have the best seats in the ‘house’ right behind her, so we could see all the action and her fingers moving at lightening-fast pace! The children were spellbound and couldn’t believe that Emily could play her entire, near hour-long, programme from memory!`

Our orchestral players in Year 5 & 6 had a day of musicmaking at Bedales. Their Director of Music is a character (he judged our Inter-House competition not long ago) and chose a great mix of pieces from Strauss to Coldplay for us to learn and perform at the end of the day. The children were also treated to a 30 minute set which was some of the highlights from Bedales’ legendary Rock Show featuring DH alumni Eliza Hayward on vocals on a few tracks. On our Open-Morning some of our Y7 musicians were treated to a steel-pan workshop led by Mr Berkley (our drum teacher) and his band. In just a few hours they were able to learn a few songs which they performed for some prospective parents and the other children in school. The music competition was, as always, a monster affair. All children who learn an instrument (over 95% of children in Years 3-8) performed in junior and senior instrumental categories in heats which took place over two weeks. As ever, it was lovely to see other children turn out to support and listen to their friends. Congratulations to our finalists who impressed our judges:

Juniors: Benji Toynbee (violin), Hetty New (flute), Elsie Butler (alto saxophone), Paxton Clough-Humphries (trombone), Chloe Mitchell (guitar), Sebastian TranterFrench (cello), Hetty New (singing), Lucas SpellmanWelsh (drums), Daniel Sherwell (trumpet), Honor Macmillan (oboe), William Dawe (bassoon), Benji Toynbee (drums), Minnie Andrews (piano).