Societies & Clubs 03 (1957)

SOME MUSICAL NOTES

WITH SO much talent in the staff-room and enthusiasm among boys interested in music, a number of musical activities have been possible. Weekly recitals have continued, this year on Friday mornings. Considerable polish has been put on to these performances, which included the 1st movement of a Bach violin concerto in E major (played by O'Brien), a cello sonata by Marcello (played by Van Kampen), one of the pieces from Walton's Façade arranged for two pianos (played by Hyde and Hymas); there have been many other performances of many different kinds of music, with Saunders, Olley, the quartet, the choir and the orchestra contributing their respective efforts. Each term the Headmaster and Mr. Demmery started the series off with a work for violin and piano.

The choir rehearsed regularly throughout the winter terms: no major work was attempted, although a small group of twelve boys, singing soprano, took part in the Northwood Festival Choir's performance of Haydn's Creation on May 25th. Individual voices have been sorted out, so that part singing and score reading is slowly getting more proficient.

A necessary addition to the equipment of the school at the beginning of the academic year was the Bechstein medium-size grand piano. The money for the Bechstein was provided by the Education Committee and the instrument itself found and chosen by the Headmaster, to both of whom the school is very grateful. The instrument's life in the school was pleasantly inaugurated one afternoon in the autumn term by a recital of violin and piano music played by the Headmaster and Mr. Haynes.

Next school year it is hoped to form a Music Club, devoted mainly to hearing music, either at concerts in London or in school on the gramophone.

THE ORCHESTRA

THE orchestra made its début before the school at the end of the Easter term. Though still only a junior orchestra, bowing and intonation was accurate enough for the talented help from the staff-room to make this first performance a creditable start.

At the moment, getting extra instruments is almost as important as regular practice. We hope to have a double bass by the time these notes appear, but urgently need brass and woodwind instruments. Having received help from various sources, the school now possesses a clarinet, trombone, trumpet, viola, 'cello and several violins.

A French horn, flute, another 'cello and oboe would add enormously to the balance of forces in the orchestra, but any instrument will find a ready player.

PRINTING CLUB

THIS year the boys concerned in the club have greatly advanced in quality and quantity of work produced.

Many commissions have been undertaken on behalf of the Parents' Association, Local Townswomen's Guild, Northwood Evening Institute, etc. and these have been carried out with competence and speed.

Those boys who should be particularly mentioned for their services to the club are: Grosse, Amos, Evans and Horn.

THE CHESS CLUB

In its second season, the Chess Club has grown in stature, and its members are both more numerous and more cunning. A number now face a challenge from a number of Staff with quiet confidence.

In February a party of six visited St. Clement Dane's Grammar School, where they received a warm welcome and also a Chess lesson, losing by five games to one to a very strong junior team.

Later in the season we entertained a team from Rickmansworth Grammar School, and were able to win by nine games to three, our Seniors being assisted on this occasion by some promising first year players.

House matches were keenly contested, some fifty boys. taking part. The results were as follows: 1. Bec 18 1/2  points: 2. Kevere 16 1/2 points; 3, Abbots 13 1/2 points; 4, Kings 10 1/2 points.

OIL PAINTING CLUB

THE members of the club have produced some excellent. paintings in the last year. The general standard of the painting. the variety of approach and subject matter, and the enthusiasm shown has been very pleasing. It is especially encouraging to note the promising work of a number of First Formers.

A competition was held during last term when the subject "A view of my garden" was set. Judging from the results, one or two of the gardens could justifiably be opened to the public. Nicholson, 2A, Tickner, 2c, and Edmonds, 1n, shared the prize, with Lake, 2A, a close fourth.

Some of the paintings are now reaching a standard which justifies displaying them in the corridors of the school, and the general level of attainment suggests that the club can look forward to further successes in the year ahead.

TABLE TENNIS

TABLE TENNIS was started at the beginning of the Summer Term for senior boys of the school. A knockout competition was arranged, and the last twelve formed a "ladder". The bottom. six of the "ladder" are challenged once a week by outsiders, thus allowing the maximum number of pupils to use the only table we possess at present. It is hoped that the activities of the club will be extended during the winter. Our thanks are due to Mr. D. Smith and a number of the parents for the gift of the table.