Following their success last year, Malton School students were once again invited to take part in the Music for Youth Regional Finals at the Albemarle Music Centre in Hull.  This year the School entered two ensembles – the recently formed Chamber Choir and the School Choir and Orchestra.

The Chamber Choir, conducted by Nicky Copley, and accompanied by Alison Davis on piano, sang ‘Sing a Song of Sixpence’ by Fiona Lander and ‘Sisi Ni Moja’ by Jacob Narverud.

The School Choir and Orchestra elected to perform their own ‘mash-up’ arrangement of ‘Golden Hour’, ‘Larger than Life’ and ‘As it Was’ in a non-stop 10-minute performance.

We are still waiting to hear whether either of the groups will progress to the National Festival at the Birmingham Symphony Hall in summer, but both ensembles received overwhelmingly positive remarks from the adjudicators.

Australian born Adey Grummet, a dancer, actor and singer who has worked with English National Opera, Opera North and D’Oyly Carte amongst others, and was in the original Australian cast of Cats and Les Miserables, gave feedback to the Chamber Choir, commenting, “What a well-disciplined and beautifully prepared choir … You have a wonderfully full and rich sound.”

Malton School Choir and Orchestra received feedback from David Beer, pianist and conductor who over 30 years in the industry has conducted many West End productions and international tours of shows including Cats, Guys and Dolls, and Fame as well as being a prolific musical arranger.  In his feedback, David commented, “The choir showed a real sense of enjoyment and fun, both here and in the final song where there was some excellent rhythmic movement… The unison singing was SO together, well done for some excellent ensemble work.”

The students also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to perform in a purpose-built music centre as well as meet and hear other schools perform.  Gemma Kettlewell in Year 8 was impressed by the variety of different groups from all across the North of England and Isabella Stockill in Year 12 said, “Playing in front of other musicians from other schools was an amazing experience to have in such a nice venue”.

Mr Woodrow, music teacher, was delighted with the performances of both groups: “Malton School’s Chamber Choir is getting a well-earned reputation locally as being a first-class choral ensemble and we are grateful to Miss Copley for her enthusiasm and dedication in nurturing and encouraging the choir.  Equally, the School Choir and Orchestra, many of whom only joined us in Year 7 this time, have shown real dedication in giving up lunchtimes for rehearsals; the Orchestra have also been practising the pieces as part of their Personal Development Activity on a Thursday afternoon.  It would be amazing if both ensembles could progress to the next stage of the Music for Youth Festival.”