Spectacular Concert at St John’s Waterloo

Our spectacular concert at St John’s Church in Waterloo marked the return of Caterham School’s presence in central London. A magnificent programme featured the best of our choral and orchestral ensembles as well outstanding soloists. The performance celebrated the tremendous achievements of Caterham School’s singers and musicians and in particular, their maturity, passion and understanding of complex musical works. As with many of our concerts, pupils from both Caterham Prep and Senior School worked together. Performers spanned Year 5 (Prep) to Upper Sixth.

The first half of the concert explored the theme of ‘light’ through the enchanting, timeless medium of choral music. Chamber Choir and ETS performed a selection of ethereal motets. From Chamber Choir, ‘Northern Lights’ (a stunning piece inspired by the aurora borealis) and ‘Lux Beata’ (featuring a beautiful oboe solo by Fourth Year pupil, Abi P) by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo and ‘O Radiant Dawn’ by Scottish composer James McMillan (featuring stunning solos from Tiffany K (Upper Sixth) and Emily B (Lower Sixth). From ETS, two settings of the text Lux Aeterna enchanted all who were present. The first was written by Canadian composer Randall Stroope and the second by Mr Adam Assen, Director of Music. This exciting premiere, composed especially for ETS, was a joy to hear. The choirs combined alongside Caterham School’s Film Orchestra to perform Bob Chilcott’s uplifting ‘Canticles of Light’- a subtle yet dramatic setting of hymns from the Liturgia Horarum that explores darkness and light across three movements. The prolific ‘giant’ of British choral music visited Caterham School days before our concert- an exciting and joyous experience for every singer and musician.

Our solo performers represented the instrumental families with immense style and precision. Catherine Yap (Second Year), Organ; Menuetto – Impromptu by John Ireland, Alice H (Upper Sixth), Flute Sonata- second movement by Edwin York Bowen, Alvin P (Lower Sixth), Trumpet Concerto in E flat – first movement by Johann Neruda, Annette S (Fourth Year), Harp, La Source (The Fountain) by Albert Zabel and, Florence N (Third Year), Piano Sonata in F major, – third movement. Congratulations must go to all of our soloists- they exuded confidence and demonstrated an incredibly high level of technical ability.

The final section of the concert was delivered by Sinfonia, our senior orchestra. The programme represented musical grandeur, where the symphonic forces of the past converge to create unforgettable auditory masterpieces. Outstanding and riveting performances of Romeo & Juliet, Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky and Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov left our audience spell-bound. The final work, Symphony No. 104 in D Major, “London”, by Franz Joseph Haydn was truly remarkable. To hear a full symphony performed at such a high level was a huge achievement and required such immense stamina and focus.

Well done to every performer for a wonderful performance of challenging and ambitious music.

Mr Adam Assen, Director of Music