Large Ensembles Concert celebrates IWD

This term’s large ensemble Joseph Cooper Concert fell on Wednesday 8th March 2023, and as well as benefiting from the unexpected snowfall, also celebrated International Women’s Day. Female conductors, composers, arrangers and commissioners played an equal role in the proceedings, with a 48%-52% even gender split between performers from boys’ and girls’ houses.

Concert Band, conducted by Miss Temple, opened with the Main Title Theme from The Simpsons, followed by a toe-tapping medley of David Brubeck themes. An arrangement of the finale from Schubert’s String Quartet No.6., commissioned by Clifton’s oboe teacher Miss Imogen Triner, was brought to life by the Oboe Quartet. Arrangements by bassoonist Lisa Portus of Gershwin and Schumann were delivered with panache by the Clarinet Ensemble. Meanwhile a new arrangement of pioneering composer Cécile Chaminade’s Marche performed by the Orchestra closed the concert, alongside the rousing Finale from Dvorak’s Symphony No.9.

Together with items from the Flute, Brass and Sax Ensembles, and Jazz Workshop in Herbie Hancock, another highlight was the entirely pupil-directed performance of the Prelude, Sarabande and Gavotte from Grieg’s concerto-grosso inspired Holberg Suite.

Well done to all and do enjoy the pictures in the gallery below.