For the second year (in fact both years that the competition has been running) FHS’s Lower Chamber Choir made it to the finals of the GSA Choir of the Year Competition alongside 7 primary schools and, on Sunday morning, we all convened at Wimbledon High School GDST to perform 2 contrasting songs in the main school hall. We performed to each other and in front of our two judges Alun Jones (one time Head of Cheathams’ School of Music, a world-renowned music specialist school in Manchester) and Simon Lole who is a composer – in fact he composed a new song which we all sang together.
It was such a joyful morning of music making and the standard was incredibly high. As a choir comprising of singers in Years 7 and 8 we were a bit older than the other primary school choirs and we presented a more mature programme (with fewer actions!). The singing was very beautiful – we sang our very own Psalm 150 (by Bob Chilcott – which we commissioned from the famous composer back in 2006 in celebration of the school’s 125th Birthday) as well ‘Fly’ by Susie Vango one of the foremost women composers of today.
We did so well – we performed our 2 pieces really stylishly, enthusiastically and with great attention to detail and beauty. We didn’t win or come second but the choir did a brilliant job (perhaps we might have come 3rd?) and were cheerful, and positive throughout. Well done to everyone who generously turned up to sing on a damp Sunday morning!! And congratulations to the wonderful Mr Mercer who conducted the choir with great aplomb!
This weekend we wish the Lower School Choir well on their tour to Paris.
Miss Vickery, Director of Music
