Summer Concert and Music Awards

On Friday 2nd July 2010, nearly 170 young musicians from Callington Community College performed a wide programme of music at their Summer Concert.

This year was the Fifth Anniversary of the music department achieving Specialist Music College Status, and the variety and quality of the music making continues to build on past experiences and grow for the future.

This year in particular, a remarkable group of young musicians joined the College in Year 7.  This term 35 Gifted and Talented music students in the year group have been working on a project with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the piece that they previously played with the orchestra at the Plymouth Pavilions, "Soul Limbo", started the Summer Concert in the College Main Hall.  The pulsating rhythms of this well known cricket signature tune, led by student Michael Jones, gave the evening a dynamic opening.

Young wind, brass and percussion players gather on Fridays in the Music Department to take part in the College Training Band, but this year so many senior musicians were keen to join the ranks that the band was renamed Friday Band.  This group played four numbers second in the programme, and showed that the future of wind band music in the College will be dynamic and secure in the years to come.  With vocals, ensembles and wind groups adding to the high quality solo work in the programme the audience enjoyed a wide range of performances in a variety of musical genres. 

Taiko drumming still features extensively in the College music programme and this year six Taiko drummers took to the stage under the direction of Year 11 students Jamie Munton and Will Owen.  This year during Challenge Week some of the Taiko drummers are looking forward to working with their mentors from Kagamusha Taiko who will be devising a new programme of pieces for the coming year.

Special mention must be made of Dan Tamblyn whose interpretation of Fantasia Impromptu in C sharp minor brought a huge admiring response from the audience.  This major piece in the concert pianist's repertoire was played with technical brilliance but great understanding by Dan, who leaves the College this year to train as a music teacher of the future. 

Following a cultured version of the Badinarie by JS Bach, played by the College String Orchestra, the second half of the concert opened with three pulsating numbers by the College Jazz Band under the direction of music teacher Mr Adam Lane.  Improvising from Head Sheets has been a feature of jazz in the College for the past decade and this group of musicians continued that impressive tradition with style and energy.  The College Choir has featured extensively in many performances over the last two years under the inspirational leadership of Ms Rachel Papworth.  For the first time this year the choir sang accompanied by both Jazz Band, in the Gospel number "I Will Sing Joy" and with live strings backing for the song "Sweet Child of Mine".  In a performance of both style and enthusiasm the audience were treated to a wide range of songs including a moving a cappela version of Mendelssohn's "Lift Thine Eyes".   The choir were followed by a beautiful performance of "Can You Find it in Your Heart" from Footloose - the Musical by Year 13 singer Emma Ronchetti who has carried the banner for female lead singers at the College for many years and will be sadly missed in the years ahead.

Rock Music continues to go from strength to strength at the College under the leadership of Rock Czar, Mr Simon Spring.  This year the concert included a Year 7 band, Asylum, and the massed racks of rock musicians from the Rockschool course who just fitted on to the stage for a massive performance of the Neil Young classic, "Rockin' in the Free World". 

This year the College Music Department has taught 26 Classical guitarists, a record number expertly coached by teacher Ms Alyson Smith.  As a complete contrast from the pulsating rock music, many of the classical players took to the floor with their teacher to play a short selection from their repertoire.  The College is justifiably proud of the variety and quality of its guitar music which is hugely influencing in the department and covers a wide variety of genres. 

Following a sophisticated performance by year 13 singer songwriter Jamie Jacketts, whose musical contribution to the College has been immense over the years, not the least for the way he has inspired boys to get involved in vocal music, the College Concert Wind Band took to the stage for the final item.  The 30 strong band now with a good balance of wind, brass and percussion players, delighted the audience with a wide ranging selection of pieces including the band's signature tune over the years, Jesus Christ Superstar. 

The final event of the evening was the presentation of the 2010 Musicians of the Year Awards generously sponsored for the second year by Vospers of Liskeard.  The Awards, presented by Deputy Headteacher, Mr John Wheldon, saw Jamie Jacketts deservedly awarded Musician of the Year 2010 for the outstanding work and commitment he has given to College music making over a number of years.

In total 14 musicians were chosen for awards.  All received framed certificates and a prize money cheque which is only possible through the generosity and support of Vospers (Liskeard) Ltd and the College Music Support Group). 

Congratulations to all prizewinners and Best Wishes for successful careers to all of the musicans who are leaving us this year.  As always, you will be sadly missed.

A list of Award winners will be published on the College VLE, in the Music Library, together with photographs taken at the Summer Concert.