Michael Stinton, the recently-retired Director of Music from Abingdon School, gave our annual Music Scholars’ Masterclass this year — the first one to take place in the new auditorium. This annual event is a great opportunity for our Year 8 music scholars to perform their audition pieces in front of a small, friendly audience, and to receive feedback and advice from an experienced musician. All the scholars gave excellent performances. 

Thomas opened the evening with an assured performance of the aria Thou didst blow from Handel’s oratorio Israel in Egypt. Peter gave an impassioned rendition of In amar bellezza altera by Tomaso Albinoni, before James treated us to a gorgeous hearing of The Bird’s Lament from Richard Rodney Bennett’s The Aviary. A highlight was Jacob’s beautifully expressive account of Elgar’s Chanson de Nuit (Op.15 no.1) for violin. Alexander performed Flößt, mein Heiland from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, demonstrating a firm grasp of the vocal pyrotechnics, before Herbie brought the masterclass to a close with a characterful and expressive performance of César Cui’s Orientale (Op.50 no.9). 

A few days later, we gathered in Oxford’s historic Holywell Music Room for the annual scholars’ recital, when our music scholars performed all their prepared pieces on each instrument. Many congratulations to all pupils for their hard work, and for gaining music awards to Magdalen College School, Abingdon, Radley College, and d’Overbroeck’s!