This past Wednesday, an emphatic collection of musical talents (ranging from jazzy trombones to lilting violins) came together jubilantly, to celebrate one of the most colourful events of the school year: The Fairfield Halls Autumn Collection.
Whitgift School has held an annual collection at Fairfield Halls for over 20 years, becoming a staple of the music calendar. Since the beginning of the academic year, both students and teachers alike from all across the department have worked exceptionally hard, to ensure that both logistically and musically, this prestigious occasion is as successful as possible. And Wednesday’s successes surely prove it.
With more than 10 ensembles on show, the scope of musical talent was on show for all to see. Over the two hour time frame, we saw the likes of the Chamber Orchestra, Marimba Trio, Corps of Drums, String Sinfonia and Jazz Band, among many other orchestras. However, unlike any other collections before it, the closing choral medley saw a combination of the Year 7’s from not just Whitgift School, but two other local primary schools (Elmhurst School and Cumnor House) performing many of the famed tracks from the “Oliver” soundtrack.
Over the last year or so, the music department at Whitgift has seen lots of new additions in staff, which has led to many exciting opportunities for new orchestras to perform for the first time. Once such example was the Concert Band, led by Mr. Morrison (Assistant Director of Music).
I spoke with Phillip Winter, Director of Orchestral Music at Whitgift, who has been involved in every single iteration of the event, on Tuesday for his thoughts on the collection.
When asked what makes it such a prestigious event, he said “Croydon is very lucky to have the Fairfield Halls, it possibly has some of the best acoustics out of any performance hall throughout the UK. Therefore, as a school, it is a huge honour to be able to perform there.”
Upon being asked what he was most excited about hearing on the night, Mr Winter stated that the Weber Clarinet Concerto, performed by fourth form student Michael So, would be a standout. He added “It’s a very high standard piece he’s playing, and we haven’t had a clarinet soloist in a few years, so it’ll be great to hear him”: when speaking to some audience members post-collection, many were awed by his performance.
The power of music is undeniably impactful. After so many years apart due to lockdown, many wondered how long it would be until we all performed together again. But if this Fairfield Halls concert has taught us anything, it’s that the power of music cannot be confined, but rather is an instrument of joy for us all to enjoy.
