Founders Concert this year was themed War and Peace, and presented a wonderful program that dipped alternately into the sadness and solace that both states offer.

The tone was set with the ominous opening of the Prelude from Concerto Gross for Strings by Ernest Bloch, and then each ensemble from the Chamber Strings, Jazz and Stage Bands, Prep and Senior Choirs to the Symphonic Winds, demonstrated the very best of what music in concert gives us—that unpredictable stirring and emotional response.

The Minstrel Boy, Peace Prayer, and the finale, Non Nobis Domine were some of the most moving items in the program in terms of poignancy; Muffin Top, Chorale and Shaker Dance, and Stompin at the Savoy were the ones for injecting the joy of feeling like you just can’t keep still.

Mr Scott’s address identified quite simply why we were all at Founders Concert this year.

“You all like music. You all enjoy having music, as part of your lives. You all have music that resonates with you…pieces that move your heart, connect with memories, make you smile, motivate you. You all like music.”

His tribute to the boys in a rendition of We’ll Meet Again was a particularly touching moment on the night which left the Year 12s, not unemotional, as they sat watching him and facing their very proud parents.

After such a concert it is worth reflecting that the boys who participate in the co-curricular music program do so by choice. It is a decision that demands hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes commitment in return for very little comparative time basking in the limelight and applause, such as they received last Thursday night.

Yet it is obvious how enjoyable and worthwhile music-making at Newington is, and why parents support their son’s decision to play an instrument and practice at home or sign up for very early mornings at choir.

While the Music Department received many accolades for the wonderful repertoire and preparation for Founders Concert 2015, one email in particular addressed how perhaps many attendees felt approaching the concert and how they left at its conclusion.

On 24 Jul 2015, at 9:10 pm, Maura Boland wrote:

I just wanted to give some feedback on the Founder’s Concert.

I’ve had a busy week, and sighed at the thought of going to a school concert last night. But…oh my goodness…it wasn’t a school concert. It was a CONCERT. The quality was amazing. I laughed (at the drummers) and I cried (at a number of pieces, particularly the prep choir and solo doing the Minstrel Boy, but also the final combined choir piece). I want to join the Marimba Quartet and am secretly plotting to see if I can make myself look like a teenage boy to get in. And the Chamber Strings and Symphony were amazing. I felt so blessed to have a son at a school that was so committed to quality in areas that I feel are really important—music is so much a joy. And after seeing Rockfest only a few weeks ago, it’s clear that all bases are covered. My son, is very lucky to be there. And I do hope you keep Mark Scott for a long long time.

Anyway, I felt I needed to pass on my congratulations.

Kind regards

Maura