Page 89 - HMS 2020

Carols by Candlelight at Haileybury Chapel
The Carol Service is a highlight of the school year and the professional standard achieved by our choristers is something quite special to behold. Chamber Choir gave true meaning to the Christmas
story with their poignant Coventry Carol, followed by a rousing performance of Christmas Gloria, which filled the Chapel with joy. There was an international theme to the Service and Bax Choir sang a beautiful arrangement of the traditional Spanish carol, Pastores á Belén, along with an impressive five-part arrangement of Gardner’s jubilant The Holly and The Ivy, where they demonstrated their skill, singing in canon. The haunting beauty
of Stille Nacht echoed through the magnificent Haileybury Chapel, bringing the story of the Christmas Truce to life and moving the congregation to tears. The Service concluded with a high-quality Concert Band performance of Carol of the Bells, after which the congregation could not hold back their applause! Mr Bland provided exquisite accompaniment
on the glorious Klais organ and our choirs were accompanied by our own
Mr Woodward, with his splendid playing and sensitive musicality.
Christmas Cheer and Community Projects
The magic of Christmas comes to life at Heath Mount from the very moment the scent and sight of the awesome Christmas tree arrives in the entrance hall. Senior pupils from Bax Consort took the Christmas cheer into the community by performing for the elderly residents of Glebe Court in Watton-at-Stone during the final week of the Michaelmas term. The choristers performed a diverse programme, including an up-tempo Christmas Spiritual, Mary Sat a Rockin’ much to the toe tapping delight of the listeners. Their heartfelt singing of Stille Nacht, moved the residents to tears and it was very special for them to reminisce and share their treasured memories with our choristers.
Bax Choir was also invited to take part in the Salvation Army Christmas Concert, raising money for Lister Neonatal Big Build in the stunning setting of The Spirella Ballroom. The choristers were true professionals and delighted in performing alongside the accomplished Salvation Army Brass Band and Songsters, featuring the talented Mr Fisher! We are proud of the pupils who took part in these wonderful events and who gave up their time so willingly to bring happiness and comfort to others.
Beethoven to Bond: A Thrilling Evening of Music Making
The fantastic Orchestras and Ensembles Concert demonstrates how instrumental playing is thriving at Heath Mount. The Junior Orchestra opened the evening in dramatic style with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, followed by the Wind Band who played the Star Wars theme to an exciting backdrop of Jedi fighters and inter-galactic battles. Concert Band brought the house down with their super Party Dance
Mix, while the Guitar Group upped the cool vibe with Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. Trombones, trumpets, clarinets,
saxophones and drums all featured in
the Jazz Group set which had everyone swinging to the beat with their James Bond Theme and Chattanooga Choo Choo.
One of the evening’s many highlights
was the beautiful rendition of Mozart’s Divertimento by our skilful String Quartet. A special mention must go to our youngest
performers, some of whom were just
6 years old. The Year 2 Violin and Viola Club and our Junior Orchestra and Strings Group impressed everyone with their musicality and performance skills, and we are excited to follow their musical journey at Heath Mount. The night ended with a stunning Lion King Medley from our Senior Orchestra.
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