As always, this has been a busy term for the Music Department at Tenby's Greenhill School, with eager preparations for the orchestra and individual musicians to perform in the recent Chevron Music Festival at Sir Thomas Picton School. This was a resounding success, with several of the school's gifted young musicians winning first place in the Open sections of the festival.
September also brought about some exciting changes within the department, with the introduction of a new rock band. Students were invited to audition for the band, which has been created under the guidance and expertise of Mr. Paul Rapi, head of performing arts, and Mrs. Sarah Benbow, the peripatetic vocal teacher for Pembrokeshire Music Service. The symphony orchestra has also been revamped, with the introduction of a small brass section.
Both of these new ventures, together with the orchestras and choirs, emphasise the depth of talent now being seen at the school, as well as offering a much greater musical diversity at performances and concerts.
This year's greatly anticipated Christmas concert will be held in the school's main hall on Thursday, December 11, at 7.30 pm, with doors opening at 7 pm. Having received some very positive feedback from the summer concert-goers, refreshments will once again be offered at the end of the evening as well as during the interval, giving everyone a chance to mingle, chat and enjoy such festive trreats as mince pies and mulled wine! It promises to be a wonderful evening of musical delights, guaranteed to lift the spirits and get everyone in the mood for Christmas.
Tickets are on sale now, prices are £6 for tiered seats, £5 (£4 for concessions) for front seats and £3 (£2 for concessions) for rear seats. They are available from the Greenhill Music Department and Dales in Tenby.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards funding next year's auditions and competitions, namely the Urdd Eisteddfod in Cardiff and the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham. The department is also busy fund-raising for the eagerly-awaited orchestra trip to Lake Garda in Italy, in July 2009, and is currently selling reversible jackets for orchestra members with their chosen instrument embroidered under the Greenhill orchestra logo - a great Christmas present idea! These will be on display at the concert and orders can be taken then.
As always, the Christmas concert is supported by SOGO (Supporters of Greenhill Orchestra) and the next meeting will be on Monday, January 12, 7 pm at the school. Anyone wishing to help in any way, great or small, will receive a warm welcome. SOGO is a small group of dedicated supporters of all the musical activities at Greenhill and meetings are informal and fun, yet held with the determined intention of doing whatever can be done to help and support the students and orchestras in their musical endeavours.
Please contact Angela on (01834) 810154 or Amanda on (01834) 811302 for more information.