Musical stars shine one last time

Three Year 13 musicians holding offers of scholarships and places at Cambridge, Oxford and leading conservatoires were among the stars at this year’s Leavers’ Concert.

Performing for the last time alongside their fellow QE musicians were composer Harrison Lee, who has offers from the Royal Northern College of Music and Trinity College, together with vocalists Joel Swedensky and Nikhil Mark (pictured top), who have been offered choral scholarships from Cambridge and Oxford respectively.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “This was another brilliant concert, showcasing our senior musicians’ varied talents to very good effect.

“There were some spectacular performances, whether it was Joel’s Maria from West Side Story, Nikhil Mark singing Five Nights at Freddy’s with the Jazz Band, or Jason Tao’s virtuoso playing as first-chair violin, not least on Harrison’s original composition for orchestra, Of the Essence. That was a truly amazing piece: stirring, moving, filmic, so professional-sounding – and written in about a month alongside all his A-level work.”

The concert, held in the Shearly Hall, featured some 15 ensembles, from smaller groups, such as the Barbershop and Electric Guitar Ensemble through to the massed ranks of the Orchestra and the School Choir.

The music played ranged from Grieg, Mozart & Mahler through to Irving Berlin, Kenny Loggins & Metallica. The Indian Ensemble played three pieces, starting with Hindustani piece: Balama Re More Mana Ke by Raag Bihag.

In addition to Harrison’s composition, the programme also included original works by Year 12’s Ryuki Watanabe and Joseph Donovan, of Year 10.

The evening included the presentation of Music Colours by the Headmaster.

Director of Music Ruth Partington celebrated all that Year 13 had contributed, noting their selflessness and kindness as a group. They in turn thanked the music teachers and presented them with gifts.

Joel and Nikhil were among 49 boys offered Oxbridge places this year – a figure second only to last year’s all-time QE record of 62. Joel has been offered a place to read Computer Science at Trinity College, Cambridge; Nikhil’s offer is for Materials Science at Pembroke College, Oxford.

Choral scholarships, or ‘choral awards’, are offered, following auditions to strong candidates who have also received an academic offer from Oxford or Cambridge. Choral scholars are expected to sing with their chapel’s choir. They receive some annual financial support.

Harrison has secured offers to study:

• Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music
• Composition at Trinity College of Music
• On the GRNCM/MusB joint course between the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University.

Miss Partington said: “Receiving multiple offers to study at Music conservatoires is an absolutely superb achievement – there is fierce competition.”

In his inimitable fashion, Harrison thanked his Music teachers for their support – “one of the best parts of my experience at QE. When I’m a famous composer, I will always be grateful!”

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