28-8-10 Schola singing at the BBC Proms

Final preparations are being put in place for the Schola's appearance at the BBC Proms on September 10, when they will join the world famous Monteverdi Choir under the baton of Sir John Eliot Gardiner for the four hundredth anniversary performance of the Monteverdi Vespers. The concert is to be broadcast live on BBC Television and Radio from The Royal Albert Hall. Following this, the boys will tour with the work, appearing at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford and Durham Cathedral.

TIckets for the prom have been sold out for many months but it is possible to attend of course by joining the queue on the evening for the Promenade and Gallery standing positions. 

 

24-8-10 News from Music For Youth

At the end of last term the Vaughan's Big Band and Senior Piano Trio competed in the National Festival of Music For Youth, held in Birmingham in July.

We were very pleased that both ensembles received awards from Music For Youth (pictured below).

The Adjudications given on the days of the performances are given below. 

Big Band

Smackdown – Good ‘jazzy’ feel – feet tapping all over the place. Good to see an extended piano solo (and baritone solo and alto solo as well!) at the heart of the piece. Sax section particularly swinging on the soli and throughout.
Better Get Hit – The right sort of energy from the start – a Mingus like messiness coupled with a great sense of the band understanding the intent of the piece – and yet tight when called for – soloists at the heart of everything – great repertoire choice.

Piano Trio

Debussy Piano Trio Second Movement
Beethoven Ghost Trio First Movement

A beautifully played cello solo at the outset – so well projected – and sensitively accompanied by the piano. This is outstanding string playing – you play so well together, and individually play with such musicality. Your pianist is also an outstanding chamber musician.

A tremendous sweeping start to the Beethoven – make sure of the ‘p’ in bar 6 onward. You brought out the momentum through the changing moods really well even if there were some slightly taxing moments! You deserve huge credit for tackling with great success such a difficult movement.

This is outstanding music-making.

 As a result both groups have been asked to appear at the Royal Albert Hall in October and November at the School Proms. Congratulations to all involved.

 

 

 

 

1-8-10 From a piano lesson with Mr Harris

This video comes from a piano lesson with jazz piano teacher Richard Harris.

25-7-10 A Review of Sweeney Todd

Richard Fawkes attended the production of Sweeney Todd at the end of term and has has written the following review.

It was a bold choice to stage Sondheim’s grand guignol masterpiece. Musically it is extremely difficult; staging it also comes with a host of problems, particularly in a school hall. And yet, the disadvantages were turned to advantage in Shelagh O’Connell’s grippingly claustrophobic production. So much so that from the moment the well-drilled, excellent chorus began to sing the Ballad of Sweeney Todd, one forgot this was a school performance: we could so easily have been watching a National Youth Music Theatre production.

One expects to see, in school productions, one or two really talented performers, and equally, one or two who have been cast simply because someone has to fill the role. That certainly wasn’t the case here.

Benedict Payne in the title role, sang with precision and power, at the same time conveying with a look or a gesture, the anguish that drove Todd on to seek revenge. He had the gift of stillness and delivered a very impressive performance. Sophie Platts-Martin made the difficult role of pie maker Mrs Lovett both uproarious and touching, no mean feat for a young actress.

One of the features of this outstanding production was the quality of the singing. Daniel Laking as Pirelli the barber, milked his scene-stealing role for all it was worth while Matthew O’Keefe as the Beadle sang strongly and revealed a keen sense of comic timing. The attractively-voiced Ruby Riley made something of the dramatically thankless role of Joanna while Luke Colairo as Anthony, the sailor who falls in love with her, displayed a vocal talent that belied his years (it will be interesting to see how his voice develops over the next couple of years). There were strong contributions, too, from Rebecca Johnson as the Beggar Woman, Stephen O’Driscoll as the villainous Judge Turpin and Jack Collins as Toby, Pirelli’s assistant.

Everyone played their part in the success especially the hard-working orchestra which, under the inspirational baton of music director Scott Price, was on fire.

The bar was set high but it never even wobbled. Sondheim is eighty this year. He could not have had a better birthday present. It really was a quite remarkable evening.

19-7-10 Sweeney Todd

So many congratulations to all involved in the production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd which has brought this year of wonderful music-making at the Vaughan to such a memorable close. Pictures are to be found in the Photo Gallery section of this site (more will follow soon).

It is always invidious to name individuals involved in such a huge undertaking as this work but the two principals, Ben Payne (Sweeney) and Sophie Platts Martin (Mrs Lovett) were simply outstanding. These are two of the most complicated and demanding roles in all of musical theatre and both gave truly memorable, individually crafted performances displaying huge skill. They were very ably assisted by a hugely strong supporting cast and an outstanding chorus. The School’s technical staff, alongside a very hard working crew, were pushed to their limits by the demands of the staging but they worked very hard to ensure that everything was as it should be and the end result was far and away the most spectacular production the Vaughan has ever seen.

9-7-10 End of Term Activities

The past ten days have been more than usually busy for the School’s musicians as we have approached the end of term. In particular, the Big Band have been out and about, performing at North London Cricket Club and at the School Fete over the weekend whilst also preparing for the appearance in the Final of the National Festival of Music For Youth in Birmingham on Friday 9 July. For this occasion we had commissioned a new chart from American jazz composer Jeff Jarvis, entitled Smackdown. The Band gave the world premiere performance of the work in the final and we were very pleased to learn that we had received an award from Music For Youth for the quality of the performance.

As well as the Big Band, our Senior Piano Trio were also selected to appear in the Music For Youth Final and they travelled to Birmingham the day before the Band to perform music by Debussy and Beethoven in the Chamber Music Class. This group, Laurence Telesia (violin), Isaac Morris (cello) and James D’Costa (piano) play to very high standard indeed, a fact reflected by their being awarded the ABRSM Senior Chamber Music Prize – a wonderful achievement.

Thursday 8 July also saw the splendid and moving Mass held at St James’s, Spanish Place to mark the retirement of Mr Cooney. The Schola Cantorum, directed by Mr Cole and with Mr Evans at the organ, brought great dignity to the occasion and some striking playing from the Senior Brass players added to the splendour.

The younger members of the Schola have spent much of the term preparing for their appearance at the BBC Proms at the very start of next term. On September 10 the younger members of the choir will join the world famous Monteverdi Choir under the baton of Sir John Eliot Gardiner for the four hundredth anniversary performance of the Monteverdi Vespers. Held at the Royal Albert Hall, the concert is to be broadcast live on BBC Television and Radio. Following this, the boys will tour with the work, appearing at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford and Durham Cathedral.

1-7-10 The Summer Concert

 

This evening's Summer Concert was a lovely event with many fine performances from the School's musicians. We were joined by Columbia Choirs from Seattle who entertained the large audience with their delightful repertoire. Otherwise the highlight of the evening was the very fine performance by Laurence Teleisa of Vaughan William's The Lark Ascending. The evening will surely be best remembered though for the Headmaster's speech at the end of his final concert as headmaster of the Vaughan. The long standing ovation that greeted his words made crystal clear the extraordinary affection in which he is held by the pupils and parents at the Vaughan.

30-6-10 Events in the Past Week

The past few days have been very busy in the Department. Last Monday some eighty Associated Board Music Exams were held, heard by three examiners. We await the results. 

Monday this week saw the Big Band appear at the Bull's Head, joined by past members of the Band for what was a wonderful evening, full of fantastic playing. It was great to see and hear again the alumni of the Band and they played very well. The current Band we on great form as we said goodbye to the three members who are leaving this Summer, Laurence Telesia, Edward Taroghion and Peter Bench. 

Tuesday afternoon saw the Schola, directed on this occasion by Miss Wilby, sing at the Mass for SS Peter and Paul held at Our Lady of Victories. That morning the English Chamber Orchestra musicians returned, once again playing through pupils' composition work and offering invaluable advice and insight. Many thanks to the ECO for these excellent sessions.

23-6-10 The Summer Concert, Thursday 1 July 2010

The Vaughan's annual Summer Concert will be held in Addison Hall at the School at 7 pm on Thursday 1 July.

The Vaughan's musicians will that evening be joined by Columbia Choirs, a highly acclaimed collection of children and adult choirs from Seattle, USA.  The programme will also include School Choir, Schola and Concert Band alongside a performance of Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending with Upper Sixth student Laurence Telesia as violin soloist.

Tickets (£6, £3 concessions) are available from the School or on the door. 

22-6-10 Busy time for the Lower Sixth Musicians

The last few days have been busy for the Lower Sixth Music Students.

Last Thursday they took part in a workshop with musicians from the English Chamber Orchestra who spent a wonderful morning working through their composition work. The ECO players return on June 29 to play through the finished works.

Today they traveled to Tiffins' Girls School for a seminar with Jonathan Cross of Oxford University on Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring.

On Thursday this week the Vaughan will host an afternoon for other students taking the Pre U Course with our pupils joined by pupils from Winchester College and Tiffins' Girls School. Renowned composer Philip Wilby and Head of Academic Music at the Royal Academy of Music, Jeremy Summerly will lead the afternoon alongside the music teachers at the various Schools.

16-6-10 Noye's Fludde

Very many congratulations to the more than 130 pupils who took part in this evening's performance of Britten's Noye's Fludde. It was wonderful to see so many pupils performing in this extraordinary piece, both the singers and the instrumentalists. Everyone did so well - very well done. 

10-6-10 Big Band Reunion

The Vaughan Big Band’s appearance at the Bull’s Head, Barnes on the evening of Monday 28 June will include a performance from past members of the Band, back together for the first time. This alumni band will play alongside the current players in what promises to be a very memorable evening, the Band’s first ever evening appearance at the Bull’s Head.

6-6-10 National Festival of Music For Youth

Details are now available of the Big Band’s appearance at the Final of the National Festival of Music For Youth on Friday 9 July. The Band will compete in the Adrian Boult Hall at 12.30 pm. Prior to that they will take part in a National Youth Jazz Collective workshop and following the competition they will perform to the public in Chamberlain Square at 2 pm. 

In the competition the Band will give the World Premiere performance of the chart it has commissioned from leading American jazz composer Jeff Jarvis. 

The day before, Thursday 8 July, will see the Senior Piano Trio performing in the Chamber Music finals at the Recital of the Birmingham Conservatoire.

31-5-10 Boys Singing at Opera Holland Park

This weeks sees the opening of the new season at Opera Holland Park and boys from the Vaughan will be involved in two of the productions. Tuesday 1 June is the first performance of Debussy's masterpiece Pelleas et Melisande in which Third Form pupils Eoghan McNelis sings the important solo role of Yniold. Wednesday 2 June is the first night of Bizet's ever popular Carmen with Vaughan boys singing in the Chorus.

Further details and tickets can be obtained from Opera Holland Park's Website

24-5-10 The Small Band at the Bull's Head

Below is a video of the Small Jazz Band who appeared as part of the Big Band's Bull's Head concert on 9 May this year. They are joined by saxophone legend Mornington Lockett in this performance of 'The Chicken'! 

18-5-10 Tosca at English National Opera

12-5-10 Britten's Noye's Fludde

Plans are being put in place for the performance of Noye's Fludde to be given on Wednesday June 16 at St Barnabas Church, Addison Road. Boys from the Vaughan Centre for Young Musicians, members of Ealing Youth Choir and Ealing Children's Choir will join boys from the Vaughan in the production that will use animal masks originally made for the BBC Proms.

The role of Noah will be sung by Nick Warden, Mrs Noah by Arlene Rolph. The role of God will be played by the Headmaster.

Tickets for this production will be on sale from next week, priced £10 (concessions £5).  

 

5-5-10 Big Band at the Bull's Head Barnes

The School's Big Band returns to the Bull's Head, Barnes this coming Sunday, 9 May for its final appearance at the venue for this School year. This promises to be a special occasion as the Band is to be joined by saxophone genius Mornington Lockett who will appear as guest soloist in several of the pieces. The show starts at 1 pm and lasts until 3.30 pm.

 

5-5-10 Concert at Cadogan Hall

Congratulations to the more than one 130 pupils who took part in yesterday's concert at Cadogan Hall. Given alongside Southbank Sinfonia, the School's Orchestra in Residence, this was a wonderful evening of music-making and a wonderful opportunity for the orchestral players in particular who were able to play alongside their professional partners in the performance of Dvorak's 'New World' Symphony. The School Choir sang very beautifully in Handel's Coronation Anthems. This was a wonderful evening in the spectacular setting of Cadogan Hall. 

30-4-10 National Festival of Music for Youth Finals

28-4-10 Guitar and Drums Competition

Congratulations to the twenty plus pupils who took part in the Guitar and Drums Competition today. There was a wide variety of musical styles on display and a high standard on both instruments. Orlando Weeks, lead singer of The Maccabees, was very impressed with the performances he heard.

The Junior winners were Daniel Quirke and Theo Baldauf on the guitar and Tom Collins on the drums. The Senior winners were Gabrielle Machado on the guitar and Martin Huynh on the drums. 

24-4-10 Tickets on sale for Cadogan Hall Concert

Tickets are now on sale for the concert at Cadogan Hall on May 4. Priced £15, £12 and £10 (half price concessions) they are available from the School using this FORM or online at Cadogan Hall.

The concert includes performances of Handel's Coronation Anthems, sung by School Choir accompanied by Southbank Sinfonia and Dvorak's Ninth Symphony ('From the New World') with the Vaughan's chamber orchestra sat alongside SBS.

Further details about the programme are available on Southbank Sinfonia's website HERE. 

         

 

22-4-10 Schola to sing in the BBC Proms

20-4-10 Trinity Term Music Events

Details are now available of the music events this coming Trinity Term. Highlights include a concert with Southbank Sinfonia, the School's orchestra in residence, at Cadogan Hall on 4 May, a performance of Britten's children's opera Noye's Fludde in June and the end of year musical, Stephen Sondheim's majestic Sweeney Todd.

Further details of all events are available HERE.

18-4-10 Tour To Prague

Details and photographs are now available of the very successful trip to Prague this Easter. The School Choir and Orchestra gave three very accomplished concerts in the Czech Republic. More than one hundred pupils took part in the trip. Click HERE for further details.

15-4-10 Associated Board Examination Results

Many congratulations to the more than eighty pupils who sat and were successful in Associated Board Music Exams at the end of last term. The results were very good indeed at all Grades, especially at the highest level this term with no fewer than 11 Grade 8 Examinations, 6 of which were passed with Distinction. Those pupils who passed Grade 8 are:

Andrew Baigey, Singing (Distinction), Stephen O'Driscoll, Flute (Distinction), James D'Costa, Organ (Distinction), Jack Comerford, Singing (Distinction), Oliver Greally, Piano, Benedict Payne, Oboe (Merit), Francis Robson, Oboe, Stuart Swanton, Singing (Distinction), Edward Taroghion, Singing.

Most remarkable of all is Isaac Morris who score of 143 in his Grade VIII cello will quite possibly win him a place in the Associated Board annual high marks concert.

1-4-10 The End of Term

The Lent Term came to a close today with the Big Band, Brass Ensemble and Senior Piano Trio competing very well indeed in the National Festival of Music for Youth, at the LSO St Luke's, the Barbican.  The Big Band, who are old hands at the National Festival were especially strong, giving a blistering performance that was greeted by a very generous standing ovation from the other students competing. We wait to hear if we are invited through to the Finals in July.

This has been a busy week for the Big Band who on Monday were at the Barbican Concert Hall itself performing as part of the Metropolitan Police Choir's annual concert. They played very well that evening, joined by vocalists Ruby Riley and Isabella Chakiris. 

Tuesday saw the Easter Concert of course, an evening of Mozart. The Chamber Orchestra, directed by Mr Evans, gave the first half, with a sparkling performance of the Marriage of Figaro Overture followed by the Clarinet Concerto, with three boys as soloists, each playing one movement each. Christopher Kalcov, James D'Costa and Edward Taroghion gave very accomplished performances of this difficult music - congratulations to them.

The second half of the concert was a performance of Mozart's Requiem. This was performed entirely by pupils, choir, orchestra and soloists, as it will be on our Tour of Prague next week. There were a few tricky moments as we went along undeniably, and we can hope to polish the performance somewhat when we repeat it three times in the Czech Republic. Nonetheless, it was quite an achievement, especially by the orchestral players who coped very well and also the soloists who sang very well indeed. 

This has been a long and hard term but with many lovely evenings of music-making. Congratulations to all who teach in the Music Department at Cardinal Vaughan and thanks to all the pupils who have worked long hours to achieve so much since Christmas.

23-3-10 Concert with Southbank Sinfonia

Details are now available of this year's project with the Vaughan's professional orchestra in residence, Southbank SInfonia. The Vaughan's Chamber Orchestra will sit alongside Southbank Sinfonia in a performance of Dvorak's Ninth Symphony ('From the New World'). The concert will open with the Mozart's Overture to Cosi fan Tutte before the School Choir will join the orchestra for a performance of Handel's glorious Coronation Anthems.

Tickets: £15, £12, £10 (concessions half price) available from the Box Office, 020 7730 4500, online at www.cadoganhall.com, or from the School on 020 7605 0012, email (mail@cvms.co.uk)

 

23-3-10 St John Passion

The Schola Cantorum gave the most wonderful performance of JS Bach’s St John Passion last night at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington High Street. This was a very beautiful evening and a landmark in the history of the Schola. Accompanied by the Belgravia Chamber Orchestra, the Schola were joined by renowned tenor soloist Nicholas Mullroy who sang the Evangelist, whilst baritone Nicholas Warden sang the role of Christ. The remaining solo roles and the arias were sung, quite wonderfully, by members of the Schola. Thomas Galea and Eoghan McNelis shared the soprano solos and the alto solos were taken by Daniel Laking and Matthew O’Keeffe. The bass arias were shared between Stephen O’Driscoll and Benedict Payne – Benedict also sang the role of Pilate with great power. The arias are exceptionally difficult but the performances given by the boys were assured – a quite remarkable achievement, as commented upon by the Evangelist and many members of the orchestra. Equally, the chorus work of the Schola was highly accomplished. This was a wonderful evening, one that I am sure will live long in the memories of those who were present. Many congratulations to all involved and especially to Charles Cole who directed the performance with great skill and had worked very hard with the boys to put together this very beautiful event.

18-3-10 Music Competition Results

The final of the Music Competition, on Wednesday evening this week, was a very impressive evening with twenty excellent performances. Lower School Musician of the Year was awarded to pianist Dominic Doutney, wining for the second year in a row. Upper School Musician of the Year was awarded to Daniel Martin who gave a remarkable performance of a Cassada concerto on his tuba.

Adjudicator Alexander L'Estrange was glowing in his praise of the music making. 'Many congratulations to all the performers. The standard has been exceptionally high and there were many performances that could have won.'

More than 100 pupils have taken part in this year's competition - well done to everybody who has made the event so very worthwhile.

17-3-10 Drum Examinations

The School hosted a Trinity Guildhall Drum Examiner for the first time today. All fifteen candidates were successful in their examinations. Special mention should be made of Martin Huynh in the Lower Sixth who scored a magnificent 94/100 in his Grade 8. Many congratulations to him and all the other students on their excellent progress.  

16-3-10 Opera Holland Park Involvement

Boys from the Vaughan will sing at Opera Holland Park again this Summer. A small number of boys will sing in the chorus for the production of Bizet's Carmen and Eoghan Mcnelis will sing the very important solo role of Yinold in the production of Debussy's Pelleas et Melisande.

11-3-10 Spring Concert

Many congratulation to the more than 150 pupils who took part in this evening's Spring Instrumental Concert. There were many fine performances, notably from the Senior Strings whose rendition of Britten's Simple Symphony was very accomplished. The First Orchestra gave an exhilarating performance of the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Bernstein and congratulations and thanks in particular to all those who had worked very hard in their own time to master their own fiendishly difficult parts.

The concert will probably be best remembered though for the very funny performance of the Looney Tunes Overture by Jazz Orchestra! 

Well done to all involved. A very enjoyable evening which again displayed the wide variety of the instrumental playing at the Vaughan. 

8-3-10 English Chamber Orchestra return to the Vaughan

Members of the English Chamber Orchestra are once again to work with the Vaughan's musicians in a composing project to be held this June. Members of the Lower Sixth will compose pieces for the musicians to play and they will then work on them in a series of workshops in June.

4-3-10 Singing Competition Results

Congratulations to Thomas Galea, Alexander Yeghiazarian, Matthew O'Keeffe and Stephen O'Driscoll on their success in last night's Singing Competition. Tenor John Bowley faced the very difficult decision of choosing between many very fine performances - he spoke very beautifully though and gave every competitor positive feedback combined with things to think abut for the future. 

The line-up for the final on March 17 is now complete and we look forward very much to that event, to be adjudicated by musician-extraordinaire Alex L'Estrange.

2-3-10 Big Band Return to the Bull's Head

Join the Big Band as they appear once again at the Bull's Head, Barnes on Sunday 7 March. They will be in full flow, joined by several vocalists, from 1 pm. Entrance £7.

 

24-2-10 Brass Competition Results

Congratulations to all the boys who took part in this evening's really very good Brass Competition. There was a high standard throughout and the adjudicator, French Horn player Bob Evans, was very impressed with the standard. Michael Mesa-Cifuentes, Daniel Martin, James King and Tomek Mackow go through to the final.

21-2-10 Success in the Pro Corda Chamber Music Competition

Congratulations to the Senior Piano Trio (Laurence Telesia, violin, Isaac Morris, cello and James D'Costa, piano) on winning through to the semi-finals of the Pro Corda Chamber Music Competition. The semi-final is to be held at Trinity School, Croydon on March 2. 

19-2-10 Forthcoming Concerts over the next few weeks. 

There are number of musical events being given by the Vaughan over the next few weeks.

On Thursday 11 March the School's instrumentalists will be featured in the annual Spring Concert, to be held at 7 pm in St Paul's Church, Hammersmith. The programme will include a performance of Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.

On Tuesday 23 March the Schola Cantorum, with the Belgravia Chamber Orchestra, are to give a performance of JS Bach's St John Passion. Starting at 7.30 pm the concert will be given at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington High Street. 

Further details, including the opportunity to buy tickets, are available by clicking HERE.

12-11-10 A Welcome half-term holiday!

Another very busy week for the Vaughan's musicians came to a close today and the half-term break seems very welcome to all. Last night saw another landmark in the School's musical history as the Sixth Form performed Purcell's Dido and Aeneas to a large and appreciative audience in Addison Hall.  There were some very fine performances, most notably from Ruby Riley as Dido and Matthew O'Keeffe in the role of Aeneas, ably supported by a very strong cast of minor players. The singing of the choir was very good indeed also, all under the expert direction of Mr Evans of course. Congratulations also to Edith Johnson who directed the opera to great effect. This was a very memorable evening.

Earlier in the day our Piano Trio competed very strongly in the Pro Corda Chamber Music Competition, held at Alleyns School - we wait to hear if they have been successful in winning through to the next round. We also received the welcome news that four of our boys have been selected to perform in Tosca at English National Opera this coming May and June. Congratulations to them - more details to follow.

Today, the Schola Cantorum sang at the Funeral Mass of Old Vaughanian Timothy Kennelly, held in Ealing Abbey.  The dignity with which they conducted themselves and the beauty of their singing reflected considerable credit on the School at what was a very sad occasion indeed.

11-2-10 Woodwind Competition Results

Congratulations to James D'Costa, Sarah Innes, Daniel Harraghy and Thomas Galea on winning through to the final at last night's Woodwind Heat of the Music Competition. The standard was very high once again, especially in the Junior Section. After half term it will be the turn of the Brass.

4-2-10 Big Bands and Baroque opera!

Friday sees the annual Evening with the Big Band - from 8 pm the Band will be in full flow in Addison Hall - tickets are available on the door. Next week Addison Hall will also be the venue for a rather more refined evening when the Vaughan's Sixth Form present Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas (7 pm, Thursday 11 February). Tickets for both events can be purchased at the door.

4-2-10 Strings Competition Results

Congratulations to William Lim Kee Chang, Malcom D'Souza, Laurence Telesia and Isaac Morris on their success in last night's Strings Competition. This was a very competitive evening with a very high standard of performance, as commented upon by adjudicator Tim Wells. Next week sees the Woodwind Heat. 

30-1-10 Piano Competition Results

Congratulations to Dominic Doutney, Richard Mospan, Laurence Telesia and James D'Costa who were the winners of last Wednesday's Piano Heat in the Music Competition. They will perform again in the Grand Final in March. This week sees the Strings Competition, adjudicated by cellist Tim Wells. 

24-1-10 Music Competition Begins

This Wednesday sees the start of the School's Annual Music Competition with the Piano Heat, adjudicated by pianist Martin Cousin. The following weeks will see the Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Singing Heats. The Grand Final, adjudicated by composer and jazz musician Alexander L'Estrange will be held on Wednesday 17 March.

17-1-10 Big Band returns to the Bull's Head

This coming Sunday, 23 January, see the Vaughan's Big Band return to the Bull's Head, Barnes, London's oldest jazz venue. Join the Band plus guest vocalists from 1 pm at 375 Lonsdale Road, Barnes.

12-1-10 Tickets now available for An Evening With The Big Band

The annual Big Band Evening will be held in Addison Hall on February 5. Join the Band, plus special guests, for an evening of jazz and pop music in a transformed Addison Hall. Tickets are available by emailing the Music Department. 

11-1-10 Vaughan Pupil secures important solo role at the Royal Opera House

Many congratulations to Third Form Pupil Eoghan Macnelis who has secured the important solo role of the Frog in the Royal Opera's forthcoming production of Janáček's opera The Cunning Little Vixen.

The opera will be performed five times in March this year.

5-1-10 Lent Term Music Events

Details are now available for the Lent Term’s Music Programme of Events. Click on the Future Music Events link on the left for further details.

Throughout the whole term we will be holding our annual Music Competition for which we are very pleased to have been able to obtain a set of outstanding musicians as adjudicators. The annual Big Band Evening will be held on Friday 6 February when Addison Hall will be transformed into a ballroom for an evening of music and dancing.

The Sixth Form are to perform Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas in the New Hall on Thursday 11 February whilst the Spring Instrumental Concert is on 11 March at St Paul’s Church, Hammersmith. The Schola is to sing JS Bach’s St John Passion with the Belgravia Chamber Orchestra on Tuesday 23 March at Our Lady of Victories, Kensington High Street. The Easter Concert, at St Paul’s, Hammersmith on 30 March will be a programme of Mozart, including the Requiem Mass with all funds in aid of the Music Tour to Prague.

Ticket for events that require them are available from the School – please contact the Music Administrator.

22-12-09 News on Musical Achievements by Vaughan Pupils

Many congratulations to Upper Sixth Pupil Daniel Laking who has just been offered a place to read Music and a Choral Scholarship to New College, Oxford.

Congratulations also to two Old Vaughanian singers who have recently gained Post Graduate places at London's Music Colleges. Alex Knox (06) has been offered a place on the Guildhall School of Music's Post Graduate Singing Course. Alistair Ollerenshaw (04) has been offered a place and full Scholarship on the Royal Academy of Music's Post Graduate Singing Course. At the Academy, Alistair will join former Old Vaughanian Peter Davoren (03), who is currently in his second year on the same course.  All three singers are ex-pupils of the Vaughan's former singing teacher Paul Gillham.  

17-12-09 Congratulations on a wonderful term

Michaelmas Term closed this evening with a beautiful Carol Service. As always, the Church of Our Lady of Victories was full to capacity. What will be most remembered from the service will no doubt be Eoghan McNelis’ remarkable rendition of O Holy Night. Also notable was the Schola’s performance of Lauridsen’s haunting O Magnum Msyterium: it was fitting that the service should contain some contemporary music in a term that has seen the pupils singing more twentieth century music than ever before. A list of the major works sung in this term would include the composers Duruflé, Langlais, Walton, Strauss, Poulenc and Britten: there has been a distinctly modern flavour to the choral concerts over the past few months. The orchestral playing has been more firmly Romantic in nature however with some very good performances of music by Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns and Smetana.

This is set to reverse in the coming Lent Term with the Orchestra tackling some more modern repertoire and the School Choir preparing Mozart’s Requiem for the tour to Prague. Next term also sees the Vaughan’s first venture into the operatic realm as we stage Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. There will be the chance to escape the winter blues at the Big Band Evening in February and also our annual Music Competition running throughout the term.

Thank you to all those who have supported the Music Department’s concerts this term – we look forward to welcoming you to next term’s music-making. Thanks also to all the music teaching staff who make the many achievements of the pupils possible. And congratulations to the pupils who have worked very hard as always - I am sure we all look forward to the challenges of next term.

14-12-09 The Vaughan Carol Service

The Vaughan's annual Service of Lessons and Carols will be held this coming Thursday, 17 December at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington High Street. Join the Schola Cantorum and Vaughan Brass Consort for what is one of the highlights of the School year.

The Service begins at 7.30 pm. The Church is always full to capacity so please come early to be assured of a seat. 

12-12-09 Belshazzar's Feast

Many congratulations to all pupils, past and present, who took part in Friday's performance of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast. Around two hundred pupils were involved in this huge concert and the singing and playing was thrilling from beginning to end. Very well done indeed! What a remarkable achievement - a real landmark in the history of music-making at the School.

28-11-09 Events this week

This week sees a number of events for the Vaughan's musicians. On Monday the end of term concert for the Vaughan Centre for Young Musicians will start at 5 pm in the New Hall. Tuesday evening sees the Junior Concert with performances from the Junior Ensembles: this begins at 6.15 pm in the New Hall. On Thursday the Sixth Form give a concert at St Anne's, Kew Green, which will include a performance of Britten's Ceremony of Carols by the Girls Choir. On Friday the Big Band will entertain the visitors at the Vaughan's annual Senior Citizens party.

21-11-09 Congratulations to pupils

Congratulations to the pupils who took part in the St Cecilia concert at St Paul's, Church, Hammersmith. The concert was a wonderful evening, the highlight of which was surely Dominic Doutney's performance of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto. 

14-11-09 Big Band Commission

The Big Band has commissioned a new chart from American Big Band composer Jeff Jarvis. The chart will arrive in April and the first performance will follow soon after. This is the fourth chart that the Band has commissioned. The chart will published by Kendor Music and carry the name of the band and the School.

3-11-09 Tickets Now Available

Tickets are now available for the Belshazzar's Feast concert on December 11 and for the other events later this term. Please contact the Music Administrator by clicking HERE or on 020 7603 8478.

You can download a Form to purchase tickets for the Belshazzar's Feast Concert HERE.

 

 20-10-09 First Form to Sing at Royal Albert Hall

This Thursday, 22 October, the entire First Form of Cardinal Vaughan, all 121 boys, are to sing at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Royal Borough's performance of a new work One Sun, One World. The Vaughan boys will join a choir of 1500 children for the world premiere of this joyful cantata that has been commissioned by the World Wild Life Fund. The concert is at 4.45 pm - tickets are available from the Royal Albert Hall.

16-10-09 Boys from VCYM to perform at Covent Garden

Boys from the Vaughan Centre for Young Musicians are to perform the children's roles in the Royal Opera House's production of Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier this coming December.

13-10-09 Big Band to play at Westminster Cathedral Jazz Evening

The Vaughan's Big Band are to perform at a fund raising event next Wednesday, 22 October, for Westminster Cathedral, sharing the programme with jazz singer Anita Wardell. The Friends of the Cathedral Jazz Evening, held in Westminster Cathedral Hall, starting at 7 pm, is an event that the Band has played at twice before and is always a lovely occasion. Details of the other performers taking part are available from the Cathedral Website. 

6-10-09 Big Band returns to the Bull's Head

This coming Sunday, 11 October, see the Vaughan's Big Band return to the Bull's Head, Barnes for its first appearance of the year at this leading jazz venue. Join the Band plus guest vocalists from 1 pm at 375 Lonsdale Road, Barnes.

4-10-09 New Member of Music Staff joins the Vaughan

The Music Department is very excited to be able to announce that we are to be joined on the teaching staff by leading saxophonist Mornington Lockett. Probably best known for his work with Ronnie Scott, Mornington still works with Ronnie's drummer, Martin Drew, in a joint venture: "Celebrating The Jazz Couriers", a tribute to Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes. He has performed with many of the world's greatest jazz musicians and also leads the jazz department at the Royal College of Music Junior Department. We are very pleased he will be able to join us at the School. 

3-10-09 Schola Sing for the Visit of the Relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

 The relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux have been visiting England and Wales for the past month. They are to visit the Carmelite Priory, Kensington Church Street on Sunday and Monday, 11 & 12 October and the School’s liturgical choir, the Schola Cantorum has been asked to lead the singing at the closing ceremony of the visit at 9 am on Monday 12

To date the relics have visited nearly 40 countries around the world, including Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan, the United States, Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Lebanon and Iraq. Wherever they have gone, many people have experienced conversion, healing, a renewed sense of vocation, and answers to their prayers.

23-9-09 Schola Concert Tickets Available

The Schola will be singing a Concert at St Peter’s, Eaton Square on Wednesday 11 November 2009 at 7.30pm. The programme will include the Messe solennelle by Jean Langlais and Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem.

14-9-09 Professional Orchestra in Residence

Following the success of last April's concert at Cadogan Hall, Southbank Sinfonia and Cardinal Vaughan have now established a formal partnership. The orchestra will repeat the wonderful collobaration project again next year with a side-by-side performance of Brahms Second Symphony being prepared for a concert at Cadogan Hall on Tuesday 4 May.

 During the Orchestra's preparation visits to the School they will also perform a concert to the entire Lower School. 

Members of the Orchestra will be involved in further performances during the School year as this exciting partnership is developed. 

9-9-09 Details of this Term's music programme are now available.

Highlights include a performance of Walton's huge oratorio Belshazzar's Feast at St James's, Spanish Place on December 11, perhaps the School's most ambitious musical undertaking yet. The Schola Cantorum are to give a concert of French choral music at Eaton Square on 11 November. Sixth Form Choir and Girls Choir perform in the lovely setting of St Anne's Church, Kew Green on 2 December: music that evening will include Britten's Ceremony of Carols.

The annual concert for St Cecilia will be at St Paul's Church, Hammersmith on 19 November whilst The Early Evening Recital Series begins with the piano on 7 October. You can hear the Big Band at the Bull's Head, Barnes on 6 October and the term will end with the traditional service of Lesons and Carols at Our Lady of Victories.

Click on the Forthcoming Events for further details. 

3-9-09 Big Band to perform at Lord's One Day International

The Vaughan's famous Big Band is to perform during the Lunch interval at the the Lord's England v Australia One Day International on Sunday 6 September.