On a particularly cold Wednesday this week, FHS Musicians brought warmth and joy with a variety of performances in the Autumn Concert. Centred around chamber music, the students have been working on the skill and the art of musical communication, effective collaboration and understanding on how to play together at the highest level.

There were numerous highlights, particularly some energetic and mature performances from duets, trios, quartet and quintets made up of the most accomplished musicians at FHS. It was so lovely to see music-making through the years, from our excellent Year 8s and 9s involved in ensembles, all the way through to those in the Sixth Form. There was some superb chamber string playing across the ensembles, as well as some joyful piano duets, trios and more. A particular highlight was Iona, Amalia and Helena performing the first movement of Schubert’s elegant Piano Trio in Bb – on the tail of some excellent chamber pieces from Mozart, Fauré, Debussy, Arne, Corelli, Schobert and Handel.

Also involved were our Orchestra, fizzing with excitement in some folky Dvorak as well as our Chamber Choirs. The Year 7s and 8s performed a range of music with great aplomb in Lower Chamber Choir to a fantastic reception and the older Senior Chamber Choir capped off an excellent evening with some exquisite Faure and Shearing.

Thank you very much to Miss Vickery, spearheading our Chamber Programme, the whole Music Department of Miss Murata, Dr King, Miss Houlder, Mr Page and all the teachers for mentoring and encouraging the students so superbly towards such a successful evening. A huge congratulations to each and every performer for their hard work towards the evening. A final thank you very much to all those who joined in the audience for supporting the students so enthusiastically in their music-making. We now ramp up to the festive season and look forward to seeing many of you at the Carol Service!

Mr Mercer, Director of Co-Curricular Music