Extra-Curricular Music
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For more information about the events taking place this term, please download our term card.
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We want our extra-curricular music-making to be as rich and varied as possible, achieving high standards whilst facilitating opportunity for all.
We run a Senior Orchestra, String Orchestra, Full Chorus, Chorale, Friends of Perse Choir, two Wind Bands (one senior and one junior), 10-piece Brass Ensemble, a Swing Band and a Jazz improvisation ensemble. Alongside these, we have developed a thriving programme of ensemble music which sees around 35 different groups rehearsing weekly.
Repertoire
Recent Repertoire for our larger groups has included:
| Senior Orchestra: Symphony No.7, 1st movt by Beethoven Violin Concerto in G minor, 1st movt by Bruch Symphony No.6, 3rd movt by Tchaikovsky Symphonie Espagnole, 1st movt by Lalo Piano Concerto No.2, 2nd and 3rd movts by Shostakovich | String Orchestra: Holberg Suite, 1st movt by Grieg Palladio by Karl Jenkins Clarinet Concerto in F minor, 1st movt by Crusell Oboe Concerto, 1st movt by Vaughan-Williams |
| Chorale: Greater Love Hath No Man Illuminare Jerusalem by Judith Weir Second Service by Leighton Like as the Hart by Howells O Lord, Increase our Faith by Loosemore O Sing Joyfully by Batten | Full Chorus: Requiem by Mozart Nelson Mass by Haydn Blest Pair of Sirens by Parry |
| Senior Wind Band: Bugler's Holiday Pirates of the Caribbean Scottish Dances by Malcolm Arnold Hemming Way by Sir John Dankworth Extracts from 'Little Threepenny Opera' by Weill (selection of wind band players) Six Romanian Folk Dances and Mikrokosmos by Bartok |
Around 300 instrumental lessons take place weekly at The Perse (see the Peripatetic Staff page for a full list of the teachers). Our chamber music and ensemble programme consists of the following groups that rehearse regularly:
| Senior Orchestra String Orchestra Wind Band I Wind Band II Full Chorus Chorale Swing Band Senior Brass Ensemble Jazz Improvisation Group | 6 String Quartets Double Bass Group Folk Group Saxophone Band Wind Quintet 6 Saxophone Groups 6 Clarinet Groups Samba Band 2 Junior Brass Bands | 2 Flute Groups Percussion Group 2 Oboe Trios 2 Brass Quartets Horn Group Barbershop Group Guitar Group Double Bass Group |
Summary 2006-07
A brief summary of the academic year, from a musical perspective:
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Michaelmas Term
The first term of the academic year included a celebration of the new Perse organ in October, a school concert in November featuring soloists and the main ensemble groups, the Lower School Arts Festival and the annual carol service at St John's College Chapel. Fundraising events in the Michaelmas term included an evening of musical entertainment in aid of the 2007 Rugby Tour and the Wind Bands performed at Scotsdale's Garden Centre in December 2006, raising over £250 for the East Anglia's Children's Hospice. The Wind Bands also played at Addenbrooke's Hospital raising around £600 for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Lent Term
The main musical event of the Lent term was the concert at the University Concert Hall on West Road. The Senior Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Senior Wind Band and Brass Ensembles all performed. A pupil in the Upper Sixth Form composed a brass ensemble piece especially for the occasion. Other events in the Lent term included a pianists' and singers' concert, Chamber Concert, an interactive seminar on Minimalism for GCSE pupils and Dr Perse's Annual Evensong at Caius College. External performances included the Swing Band at the Thriplow Flower Festival and the String Orchestra went on a tour to Paris where they performed on the Eurodisney Stage.
Downloads:
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Summer Term
In the summer term, the annual Charity Cabaret raised £1,500 for EACH and Musical Futures, a Choral and Orchestral Concert took place at OLEM Church, and there were a number of lunchtime and teatime concerts. At the end of term, our annual Lower School Music Competition was adjudicated by internationally-renowned chamber musician John York, and a brass workshop was given to pupils by members of Onyx Brass. A small jazz group performed at an Addenbrooke's Hospital fundraising event hosted by the Marshalls' in Swaffham Prior.
Downloads:
Also in the past year:
- a pupil in the Fourth Form was awarded an ABRSM Diploma
- a pupil travelled to Beijing with the National Children's Orchestra
- a Sixth Form pupil won a place in the main choir of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain
- A junior string quartet took part in a masterclass with the Dante String Quartet
- Two Sixth Form pupils performed a lunchtime recital in St Mary's Church, Saffron Walden