Music in the Lent Term

On 2 March, Nathaniel Boyd (cello) and Simon Lane (piano) performed a wonderful concert in Great School. Additional masterclasses took place in the afternoon, and I was fortunate enough to take part in one with my string quartet. We learned many valuable techniques, focusing on movement of the bow to create depth and meaning to notes and the importance of the cello bass line and viola harmonies within the group. Nathaniel Boyd is an internationally recognised chamber musician as well as soloist (a member of the Albion Quartet), so it was incredibly valuable to experience his expertise.

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s concert performance. It was expressive and engaging. My favourite work was the Debussy Cello Sonata; it was played with such feeling and finesse. Shostakovich’s Cello Sonata in D minor in the second half was technically outstanding and truly exquisite.

Nathaniel Boyd used a harmonic technique which I had never experienced before. It was very impressive and has inspired me to try such techniques to improve my playing and indeed in my compositions also.

Overall, it was a highly enjoyable day and I appreciated them sharing their time and talents with us throughout the afternoon and in the stunning performance in the evening. I indeed hope they will return in the near future.

Amelie Lyne, Lower Sixth

Lancing Choir sings Evensong in Salisbury

Just before the February Half Term break the Lancing Choir travelled to Salisbury Cathedral to sing choral Evensong attended by a large congregation of locals and Lancing parents. The Choir sang music by Byrd and a little-known setting of the canticles by Harold Darke with excellent bass solos sung by Theo Almond. The anthem was S S Wesley’s ever-popular Blessed be the God and Father featuring soprano soloist Isabel Moss and the whole Choir sounding magnificent in the rousing closing section.

A number of former Salisbury choristers have come to Lancing over the years, including two current music scholars so it was very good to return and renew our links.

It’s these events that urge me not to take my time at Lancing for granted, as not often is one given the opportunity to watch a performance of such magnificent skill and virtuosity. In the audience, we were intrigued, surprised, and utterly delighted by the veritable choreography of the two instrumentalists’ communication –particularly Nathaniel Boyd’s wonderful facial expressions and how they varied as the music evolved.

Hannah Cleallsmith, Lower Sixth

Scholar Lili Rashbrook (Fourth Form) writes about the experience: ‘The choir trip to Salisbury was an amazing opportunity for both me and Izzy to sing at our old cathedral again, and also see old friends and teachers who came along to watch the service. We were given some time to wander around the cathedral housing the world’s oldest surviving working clock in the west end and part of the Magna Carta in the Chapter House. The hour and a half journey from Lancing by coach was definitely worth it to sing in the cathedral with the magnificent acoustics.

I enjoyed the experience immensely and hopefully the choir will be invited back to sing in the future.’