Stanmore Passion and Purpose through music Students from across Newington’s music programs performed in a stunning celebration of passion and purpose at this year’s Founders Concert at the City Recital Hall in July. Newington College Choir and Newington Chamber Strings perform ‘Wie setzen un smit Tränen nieder’ from ‘St Matthew Passion’ by Johann Sebastian Bach. Photo: Richard Wearne As Jacob Lawler, Captain of Music, put it, Mack Dotson’s performance of Ain’t No symphony that was composed at the ‘Your role as a performer is to convey a Sunshine and the Baroque Ensemble’s beginning of the Romantic Period. story to the audience. You aim to take Trio Sonata. Oliver Chow (9/LE) them on a journey through the music you Newington has amazing facilities but I was the viola section leader and played put forward.’ Here, he and other performing at City Recital Hall was an in Chamber Strings, Symphony performers share their experience of the incredible experience. It is not very often Orchestra and with the Choir. The concert. that high school students get the highlights of being a performer were Jacob Lawler (12/ME, Captain of Music) opportunity to work with professionals to being able to meet new people and The highlight of the concert for me was workshop a well-crafted music concert. being part of a group while, at the same performing for the last time with groups I I truly believe that every music item at time, playing an amazing and have played with for years. It has been the concert portrayed such passion and challenging repertoire. While playing for amazing to be a part of the ournj ey, purpose, whether it was the Wyvern Choir Chamber Strings, I saw the soloist watching the groups evolve and develop singing about a kayaker who lost his life Andrew Wang lead the orchestra while over time. The other highlight was while on a record-breaking journey, or playing his part. Hearing how he felt the witnessing debut performances, such as the Orchestra playing the finale to a music and led us all was what defined the theme of ‘Passion and Purpose’. Sebastian Wyatt (11/LE) Performing and listening to the ring of the orchestra in Angel Place was one of the most surreal and amazing sensations I’ve had. Playing music has always been a big part of my life and playing at such an amazing place amongst my friends was really indescribable. For me, the contrast between the St Matthew Passion and Beethoven’s Seventh was really the highlight that captured the theme of ‘Passion and Purpose’ the most. Those two pieces are revered by every musician, but when played by such talented boys, overseen by such amazing staff, played in such a Jacob Lawler, Dale Schlaphoff and Liam McCausland perform as part of the Baroque splendid hall, everything fell into place and Ensemble. Photo: Richard Wearne. that, for me, was what made the night. GRATITUDE | NEWS SPRING 2018| 17