Taylorian 2020

119 24 Hours of Music Over the Thursday and Friday before the October half-term holiday, the school’s musicians undertook a 24-hour music marathon to raise money for PHAB. This feat started at lunchtime on Thursday with a lunchtime concert followed by a vocal concert. After this, the music moved to the Undercroft, where Moses Ng (Divs) completed a phenomenal two-hour improvisation challenge. Rehearsals for Les Mis and the Trebles opened their doors before the Informal Concert, which was the highlight of the marathon, featuring varied performances from Josh Simpson’s (4ths) superb rendition of ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ on guitar to Oscar Khan’s (L6) virtuoso playing in Beethoven’s ‘Pathétique’ Sonata on the piano. Following this, eight dedicated sixth form musicians miraculously stayed awake throughout the night to keep the music going: Harrison Robb, Joshua Winyard, Ben Hunt, Sam Pemberton, Lawrence Lee, George Wright, Harry Brook, and Theo Berenzweig. Ten members of staff graciously gave up their sleep to support the feat. Highlights included piano duets from Mrs Stubbs and Mr Collins, midnight jazz, and a full Les Misérables sing-through! On Friday morning the music continued with a series of open rehearsals featuring a swathe of Taylors’ chamber groups and bands. After this we held a wonderful soloists’ recital featuring younger MTS musicians. A composition concert followed, showcasing the budding talent of our GCSE and A Level musicians. The whole school was then treated to Merchant Taylors’ jazz and swing bands whilst they ate their lunch, and the 24 hours came to a close with a massed choir performance of the school song in the Great Hall; they were joined by the rest of the school singing from all corners of the site. It provided a wonderful crescendo to a hugely successful musical marathon in which over 458 pieces were played, over £3000 was raised, and over 50 cups of coffee were drunk. Autumn Concert After half-term, the Autumn Concert was soon upon us. The Concert Band, under the baton of Mrs Stubbs, opened the evening with a stirring medley from Les Misérables, whetting our appetites for the forthcoming joint musical production. The Vocal Group, a small but highly- skilled a cappella ensemble, then sang three varied numbers spanning the 15th to the 20th centuries: ‘El Grillo’ by Josquin de Prez, Elgar’s ‘As Torrents in Summer’, and ‘Blackbird’ by Lennon and McCartney. It was a pleasure to hear the fine tuning and luscious harmonies in