Making music at Warminster Prep
The Music Department at Warminster Prep School has been buzzing recently: The Chamber Choir have been heard practising their songs all over and wowed the Senior School Assembly last week with their performances of My God and A Cat called Alexander. They performed beautifully in the Choir Under 11 category at the Junior Eisteddfod (Devizes), amusing the audience with their slick actions. They received a distinction and a special mention from the adjudicator but were narrowly pipped to the winning spot.
28 prep pupils played solo pieces to an appreciative audience in the Prep Hall in preparation for competition appearances at the Devizes Eisteddfod. The Devizes Junior Eisteddfod took place on 14th and 15th November and was a huge success. The chill of St John's Church, Devizes did not put our young brass players off, and some beautiful performances were given on the trombone, trumpet and French horn. Special mention should be made of Ed George who was awarded a merit and won his Under 11 Recital class. Alex Robinson gained a distinction in his recital class, playing Theme from James Bond and Match of the Day on the French horn. He was also a very proud class winner.
Packed classes in the Cheese Room at Devizes Town Hall were in store for all of our string players. Under the watchful eye of Mrs Thornton, our violin teacher, pupils gave excellent performances across a wide range of classes. Eliana Moore was awarded runner-up in her category, gaining an outstanding grade on the cello. Barnaby Craven-Smith came home with a win in the grades 1 and 2 string category, winning a medal and being asked to promise the adjudicator to “never, ever give up playing his viola”.
The stately Assembly Room and a beautiful grand piano set the scene perfectly for the piano classes. Elijah Chan was praised for his “near faultless” performance in the Under 9 piano recital class and came home with an outstanding grade, a class win and medal. More success was to be had at the piano: Lucy Rodgerson and William Doyle-Davidson also gained the sought-after outstanding grade for their performances in the grade 2 solo class, with Charlie Godfrey-Faussett winning the section. Charlie has also made Warminster Prep history by being the first soloist to be invited to the Eisteddfod Winner’s Concert on 28th November. Mrs Robinson (Director of Prep Music) and Mr Edwards (Prep School Headmaster) will be very proud to go and hear him play.