Music News

Evensong at Chapel Royal Just after the February Half Term the Lancing Chapel Choir travelled to Hampton Court Palace to sing Evensong in the Chapel Royal. After weeks of preparation it was very exciting to finally be there and experience the architecture and the history of the place where great musicians such as Henry Purcell had worked. The service went smoothly with Mr Mason conducting and Joseph Wicks OL on the organ. It was great to see so many parents attending to listen to various pieces, including canticles from Herbert Howells’ Collegium Regale and Like as the Hart. We also marked a very important event in the life of the Chapel Royal – the first use of contactless payment for donations!

Cecily Moorsom, Upper Sixth

16 The Quad • Lent 2020 College Singers return This year the welcomed return of the collaboration between Lancing College Singers and Student Voices was certainly worth the numerous Monday lunchtime and evening rehearsals, amounting to an exhilarating performance of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. Conducted by Director of Music Mr Mason, the 120-strong choir had the privilege of singing alongside accomplished professional singers such as soprano Natalie Clifton-Griffith, mezzo-soprano Alexandra Gibson, tenor Mark Dobell and bass Mark Beesley. They were accompanied by two grand pianos played by Assistant Director of Music Mr Langworthy and Mr Lane, and featured the rare appearance of a harmonium played by Mr White-Jones. The scale of the concert was far from ‘petite’ with the scope of the movements ranging from the energetic Kyrie to the majestic Et resurrexit sung by the full choir, with the soloists’ movements performed by the aforementioned singers. Needless to say, the singers adapted to the piece’s theatrical tendencies, executing them in a brilliant and unconventional way, with the aim to impress as well as entertain.

I am so glad that I was able to take part in such a monumental work in my final year at Lancing. Undoubtedly, I will cherish the brilliant efforts of the Music Department to co-ordinate grand schemes such as this – even as the academic year has played out more abruptly than an interrupted cadence.

Stephanie Ormond, Upper Sixth

In the annual House Music Competition this year there were 270 performances across several days in eight instrumental categories, as well as many ensemble and duet competitions. Entries were made from pupils from all year groups and of a range of abilities, from Grade 1 to Grade 8+. This year, there was a total of 48 Grade 8+ entries.

We hear from Alex Mason, Director of Music and Chris Langworthy, Assistant Director of Music:

‘The competition concluded on 6 February with some scintillating performances in the Finals Concert. William Scotland won the Open solo with an accomplished rendition of Horn Sonata. Aidan Strong and Tamane Sugihara won the Duet class with their delightful piano-playing in Mozart’s Sonata for two pianos in D Major. Aidan also won the Ensemble class alongside Cecily Moorsom and Kinna Whitehead with a virtuosic account of Dvorak’s Dumka Trio; Tommy Hutchings was a worthy winner in the Rock category; Aidan was awarded the Peter Davis Cup for his all-round contribution to the competition. Field’s House won the House Choir competition.

Competition amongst the Houses for the Music Cup was as fierce as ever. Second’s fought off extremely close competition from Manor and Field’s to land the runner-up spot and the House Music Plate. This year’s clear winner of the Cup was Head’s.

All adjudicators were unanimous in their praise for the wonderful musicianship on display in the competition. Very well done to all participants.’

Two College musicians share their thoughts on this year’s competition:

Hannah Cleallsmith, Third Form

‘I entered the solo class 3 competition (grade 6–7) for flute, piano and singing. Also, I entered a flute duet with a friend, a vocal ensemble with some of the Choral Scholars, and the hilarious category ‘One Song to the Tune of Another’ with Cecily and Ally. We sang Man in the Mirror and History to the tunes of Jupiter and Jerusalem – it was really fun!

I take flute and piano lessons and found my weekly individual tuition very beneficial to prepare for the competition, as I received help and coaching from my teachers. I also used my weekly music practice slot in cocurricular time to prepare for my vocal performance.

Being in the Third Form and new to Lancing, I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities that the House Music Competition has given me. The most enjoyable thing is to really ‘live’ in the music and have the ability to get fully involved. After this year, I hope to take part in many more successful House Music competitions. I have learnt that the whole programme is fun and a very worthwhile event to take part in.’

Tamane Sugihara, Lower Sixth

‘I entered the piano solo open class competition, string solo class 3 (violin), as well as the piano duet and violin duet. I had prepared for my performances especially for piano duet and piano solo by developing the images and colours for each piece in order to express my own interpretation. I have really enjoyed the piano duet because I have always played as a soloist and have never experienced the enjoyment of playing the piano with somebody else. This year I particularly enjoyed the performances with Cecily and Aidan, and the experience gained will push me to keep engaging with other musicians.

I am currently studying Music A Level and, although I do not have specific plans for the future yet, piano is such a big part of my life that I will definitely keep playing as a hobby.’