Gresham's piano showcase

Published on isbi School News dated Tuesday 14th of February 2012

This year a record number of Gresham's students took Grade 8 in piano. To celebrate this achievement a concert was held on Wednesday 25th January at the Auden Theatre which provided an opportunity for both Prep and Senior School students to perform. With a repertoire spanning almost the entire compass of notated music, the piano is one of the most versatile of instruments, as was demonstrated with a programme including works by Bach, Debussy and Gershwin, played by pupils from Year 7 to Upper 6th in the Auden Theatre.

As well as many soloists, the concert featured duets and trios from both Prep and Senior pupils. Particular highlights were a performance of Rachmaninov's 'Romanze' by a piano trio made up of 3 brothers at the School, and a movement of a Poulenc piano sonata, played by a piano duet of Mark Jones (Director of Music - Senior School) and Lawrence Tao (peripatetic music teacher). The concert, which was performed to a packed audience, concluded with 'English Country Gardens' arranged by Percy Grainger for two pianos and eight hands!