Senior School Recital Class 2025

Eight pupils from years 11-13 performed a variety of musical pieces in the Memorial Hall as part of the annual Senior School recital, open to year 11 pupils and above. They were adjudicated by Mr Richard Howarth, who studied as a violinist and started his career with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Richard founded Manchester Chamber Ensemble which played many concerts in the North-West region and he now conducts several non-professional orchestras.

The audience was treated to a diverse programme, including Some Enchanted Evening (Rodgers and Hammerstein), Joseph Horovitz’s Euphonium Concerto (i. Moderato, ii. Lento), and JS Bach’s Sonata No.3 (ii. Largo). Each performer showcased exceptional skill, musicality, and dedication.

Year 13 pupil Ryan was awarded the Senior Recital Cup for his outstanding performance of Carmen Fantasy on flute and spoke about his experience. He said: “The Carmen Fantasy is one of the most celebrated showpieces in the flute repertoire; showcasing a wide range of colours and full of opportunities for sublime stillness, charming seduction as well as virtuosic ferocity. Its technical difficulty combined with one of the most instantly recognisable melodies from Bizet’s famous opera allows the performer and the audience to form an instant connection. Since the beginning of my musical journey, I have longed to perform this piece. The dream finally came into fruition when I decided to participate in this year’s Senior Recital Class. I had a great time working through the technically challenging passages as well as gathering information on how to bring the opera’s voices and themes to life, including Carmen’s seductive Habanera, fate motif and the Toreador Song. I took massive inspiration from the way opera singers use vibrato masterfully and command absolute presence and attention in the theatre. The performance was brilliant for both me and Miss Dunham, who provided piano accompaniment with expert perceptiveness and precision. I felt the adrenaline coursing through my body as the music danced with exhilaration and came alive in a frenzy during the finale; it was truly an unforgettable experience.

“The thing I love most about music is that its meaning extends so much further beyond mere notes on a page. I find immense gratification and satisfaction in analysing the music methodically and uncovering subtle intricacies and details that provide a strong sense of coherence to bring a performance together. Music has the extraordinary and remarkable ability to touch the soul of anyone who communicates with it. Functioning as a kind of non-verbal language, changes in tempo, melody and harmony can resemble uniquely human expressions and experiences like bitterness, dread, ecstasy or despair. Despite over a decade spent studying this art form, music never stops giving. Having such a sophisticated emotional outlet for my struggles has proved invaluable for me as a year 13 pupil as I balance academic pressures (of an aspiring medic!) with the challenge of navigating through life”.

Director of Music at MGS, Rob Carey, commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome Richard Howarth, former leader of the Ulster Orchestra and Manchester Camerata, as adjudicator for the Senior Recital Class on Wednesday, 19 November. Eight pupils participated, each presenting a programme of no more than ten minutes. Pianists Isaac, Steve, Riccardo, and Ben were joined by Ryan on flute, Mason on violin, Tav on euphonium, and James on voice. The Senior Recital Cup was awarded at the end. This competition and celebration of musical performance at the highest level in school has been running since 1993.

“The audience enjoyed an evening of striking contrasts. James opened with three passionate musical theatre songs, followed by Isaac’s varied programme, concluding with Nikki Iles’ Fly Me to the Moon. Tav impressed with two movements from Horovitz’s Euphonium Concerto, and Steve delivered committed performances of Chopin, ending with the Ballade in G minor. After the interval, Riccardo offered a sensitive interpretation of the music of Rachmaninov and Liszt. Mason’s unaccompanied violin works by Bach and Kreisler were thoughtful and virtuosic, while Ben’s programme of Chopin, Mozart, and Ginastera was beautifully constructed, with elegant phrasing in the Mozart. Ryan closed the evening with a sparkling rendition of Borne’s Carmen Fantasy on flute Richard faced a difficult decision but ultimately awarded the Cup to Ryan, praising his flute playing as exceptional for someone so young. The same could have been said for all participants. It was a such a privilege to witness such artistry, supported by the superb accompaniment of Mr Beer and Miss Dunham”.