Accomplished concert

In the uncharacteristic sweltering heat of an English summer, a talented team of musicians did us proud on graduation day. It was a delight for the assembled parents, teachers, wardens and students to see the elegantly dressed performers, relaxed and happy now that their exams were over, able to give themselves to the performance of some enjoyable works.

The 10 strong chamber group began with a spirited rendering of a Hungarian Dance, and the international tone was maintained by Lena Fuldauer playing a little known German piano piece by Wolfgang Fuchs.

A more modern mood was created by Zak Ely on saxophone and Mathias Butul on drums performing a semi-improvised piece called Road Song by Montgomery (with support on the piano from Philomena). Linn Jacobsen sang the popular English classic: The Nightingale sang in Berkley Square, and Alex Drier followed with a German song, Sei Nicht Bos' by C. Zeller.

The youngest performer, Isabel Andrzejewski, who is still a Pre-IB student, gave a confident rendering of Humoresque for violin by Dvorak. We look forward to hearing her on many more occasions. Emma Louise Gjerde, who is going to spend next year studying music full time at a conservatoire, finished the concert with a beautiful rendering of Wedding Day at Troldhaugen by Grieg.

After enjoying a rich 40 minutes, the audience gave enthusiastic applause to the performers and also to Philomena Solomon, Head of Music, who is to be credited with organising the performers and teachers, guiding the choice of music for such an excellent programme and enabling such high standards of musicianship.

May