RADLEY MUSIC 2 0 2 1-2 0 2 2
R ADLEY MUSIC 2021-2022 Welcome to an exciting musical year at Radley College. After the challenges of the last few months, we are thrilled to welcome you to a vibrant programme of concerts, workshops and other events as we celebrate Radley College’s 175th anniversary, the re-opening of Chapel and the dedication of the new Chapel organ. Many of the concerts and services will also be live-streamed or recorded by the Radley Video Unit, available through www.radley.org.uk
This year, we launch the Radley College Visiting Recital Series, with some outstanding professional performers visiting the College. We will be working closely with partner schools across the local area for a series of events, starting with the Music Flood Week in September which will see music happening every day in every school in Abingdon. In March, there is a Chapel Music Festival week to mark the end of the Chapel project and new organ, and in May we travel to Cadogan Hall in London for a special Radley College 175 concert. You are warmly invited to join us at all musical events, most of which are free and unticketed. We would love to see you! Sam Gladstone Precentor (Director of Music), Radley College
WEEKLY CONCERTS Music on Mondays 1.30pm in the Coffee Shop, Radley College 15 minutes of music at the heart of Radley College. An eclectic programme featuring some of Radley’s finest student and staff performers.
Music in Mansion Thursdays at 1.30pm in the Blue Room, Radley College A weekly recital featuring solos and chamber music in the beautiful and intimate Blue Room.
JOIN US Singers are warmly encouraged to join the Radley College Choral Society at two exciting events this year. After such a long time without the possibility of singing together, we are thrilled to invite you to sign up for a musical celebration. All are welcome. For more information please email musicadmin@radley.org.uk
Advent Sunday Choral Society and Chapel Choir Orchestral Mass – Haydn Missa Sancti Nicolai and Music for Advent Rehearsals: Sundays 7 and 14 November 2021 (afternoon), and Sunday 28 November (afternoon) Performance: Sunday 28 November 2021 (6pm) An opportunity to be part of the first large-scale performance in the extended Chapel, accompanied by a professional orchestra.
Gala Concert: Chapel Music Festival Rehearsals: preceding Sundays, and Friday 11 March (7.30pm) Performance: Sunday 13 March 2022 (6pm) A major concert with choirs and orchestra as part of the official dedication of the Chapel extension and the amazing new Nicholson’s organ. Celebratory music by Howells, Walton, Mendelssohn and more.
VISITING RECITAL SERIES For booking information, please see the back of this brochure. Visit radleymusic.eventbrite.co.uk for tickets.
Tabea Debus (recorder)
Maxwell Quartet
Described by The Times as a ‘charismatic virtuoso’, Tabea is much sought after as a soloist, collaborator, teacher and communicator. Alongside recordings and concerts for international music festivals, her 2020 recording for Delphian, Ohrwurm, was released to critical acclaim. Passionate about outreach, Tabea has also developed several music education projects.
Firmly regarded as one of Britain’s finest young string quartets, The Maxwell Quartet has a strong connection to their folk music heritage and a commitment to bringing together wide-ranging projects and programmes to expand the string quartet repertoire. The group officially began in 2010 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and they regularly perform across the UK and abroad, at venues including Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room.
WORKSHOP: Tabea will take part in our Music Flood Week, delivering exciting workshops and bringing musical ‘earworms’ to local primary schools.
EVENT: The concert will also include side-by-side performances with guest young musicians and performers from Radley College.
Thursday 14 October – 8pm Venue: Silk Hall
Friday 4 March – 8pm Venue: Chapel
Maciej Kulakowski (cello)
Anna Lapwood (organ)
Appearing interntationally as a soloist, Maciej has played with National Philharmony Warsaw, Sinfonia Iuventus, London Mozart Players and St. Petersburg Symphony, among many others. He was a Laureat in the finals of the 2017 Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels and was selected for representation by Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) in 2019.
Anna Lapwood is an organist, conductor and broadcaster. Whilst studying at Oxford University, Anna was the first female in Magdalen College’s history to be awarded the Organ Scholarship. Anna made her BBC Proms debut this year as a soloist having created the ‘NHS Chorus-19’, modifying her music education work and bringing music to NHS staff.
MASTERCLASS: Maciej will be leading a strings masterclass in Silk Hall at 5pm. Audience members are welcome to attend.
WORKSHOP: Young organists, pianists and their families are invited to join inspiring organist Anna Lapwood for a day of workshops and performances. Contact musicpartnerships@ radley.org.uk for more details.
Thursday 3 February – 8pm Venue: Silk Hall
Saturday 5 March – all day Venue: Chapel
Camarilla Ensemble
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano)
An award winning chamber music group, Camarilla Ensemble is renowned for its vibrant and distinctive performances. The group comprises five outstanding wind players and has firmly established itself on the UK music scene since its formation in 2001. Following a Leverhulme Chamber Music Fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music, Camarilla has gone on to make many exciting festival appearances.
A finalist in the Keyboard Category in the 2018 BBC Young Musician Competition, Jeneba took up her place with a full scholarship at the Royal College of Music in September 2020. She made her BBC Proms debut in 2021 and performs regularly in the UK and abroad as a recital and concerto soloist and as a chamber musician.
Thursday 10 February – 8pm Venue: Silk Hall
WORKSHOP/EVENT: The members of Camarilla will be leading chamber music workshops, sharing their passion for ensemble performance.
Wednesday 9 March – 8pm Venue: Silk Hall
WORKSHOP/EVENT: During the day, Jeneba will be performing an inspirational concert for pupils from local schools.
Thomas Trotter (organ) Saturday 12 March – 7pm Venue: Chapel
Thomas Trotter was awarded The Queen’s Medal for Music on St. Cecilia’s Day in 2020, reflecting his place as one of Britain’s most widely admired musicians. Thomas is Resident Organist of the magnificent Klais organ in Symphony Hall, City of Birmingham. He has been awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Prestigious Instrumentalist Award in recognition of his achievements as “one of the foremost exponents of the organist’s art”. MASTERCLASS: Student organists will have the opportunity to take part in daytime masterclasses with Thomas. Contact musicpartnerships@radley.org.uk for more details.
Solus Trumpet Ensemble Monday 23 May – 8pm Venue: Silk Hall
Formed by Matilda Lloyd, international trumpet soloist, the Solus Trumpet Ensemble features the UK’s leading young professional trumpeters, who regularly perform with orchestras including the London Symphony and Philharmonia. Due to perform at many exciting music festivals, Solus made the most of lockdown by putting on a series of pop-up outdoor concerts. WORKSHOP/EVENT: Solus Trumpet Ensemble will deliver a brass workshop, leading excitingly to a massed brass performance.
Nicky Spence (tenor) Sunday 26 June – 6pm Venue: Silk Hall
Nicky’s unique experience as a singing actor and the rare honesty in his musicianship have earned him a place at the top of the music profession. The summer of 2021 saw Nicky return to Glyndebourne Festival Opera as Tichon in Damiano Michieletto’s new production of Káťa Kabanová. He is known for giving recitals internationally, appearing in concert extensively and recording prolifically, with exciting operatic roles approaching in the 2021/22 season. WORKSHOP/EVENT: Nicky will lead a daytime singing masterclass, bringing his flair for characterful storytelling.
MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS autumn All events are in Silk Hall, Radley College unless otherwise stated.
Music Flood
Partsong
More than 2000 primary school children across the Abingdon and Didcot area take part in an exciting week of workshops and performances led by secondary school pupils and professional musicians, culminating in concerts at Radley College and Abingdon Market Square.
A highlight of the calendar and hotly contested, the Inter-Social Partsong Competition is entirely organised by the boys from each Social. This event is only open to pupils at Radley College but will be available to watch as a Live Stream via the school website www.radley.org.uk
Monday 20 to Friday 24 September
Wednesday 13 October – 8pm
Blues and Roots Ensemble, with Radley musicians Thursday 23 September – 8pm Join the amazing Blues and Roots Ensemble performing alongside musicians from Radley College in a vibrant start to the musical year. This concert is organised by the Radley College Co-Curricular prefects.
Primary Schools Singing Workshops Tuesday 4 November
Led by Rose Martin alongside young music leaders from Radley College and local schools. To find out more, email musicpartnerships@radley.org.uk
Guitar Prize: Recital Class Tuesday 9 November – 8pm
Prep Schools Orchestral Day Tuesday 5 October – performance 3pm
More than 100 young musicians from local prep schools join together for a massed orchestra, coached by Radley College’s team of visiting music teachers and music scholars. The final performance is at 3pm.
Choral Evensong
Wednesday 6 October – 5.45pm Portsmouth Cathedral The 130-strong Radley College Chapel Choir travels to Portsmouth Cathedral to sing Choral Evensong, with music by Stanford and Howells.
Hear Radley College’s finest guitarists, with adjudicator Stephen Gross, following an afternoon of workshops.
Remembrance Service Sunday 14 November – 10.45am Chapel
The Radley College community joins together for a special service marking Remembrance Sunday.
Mighty Orchestra Workshop Monday 15 November – performance 3pm
Primary school young musicians from across the local area join together for a massed orchestral workshop day, led by young music leaders from Radley College and local secondary schools. To find out more, email musicpartnerships@radley.org.uk
Hudson String Prize: Recital Class Tuesday 23 November – 8pm
Hear Radley College’s finest string players, following an afternoon of workshops.
Advent Sunday Orchestral Mass Sunday 28 November – 6pm Chapel
Haydn Missa Sancti Nicolai and music for Advent, with the Radley College Chapel Choir, Choral Society and orchestra.
Independent Schools Bagpipe Competition
Sunday 5 December – all day A rare opportunity to hear some of the most promising young bagpipers, as well as a guest ensemble performance.
Carol Service
Saturday 11 December – 7.30pm Chapel Join Radley College’s Chapel Choir for a traditional service of Lessons and Carols. This is a free ticketed event.
Christmas Concert Sunday 12 December – 8pm Chapel A celebration of large ensemble music at Radley College, including some festive favourites and music by Khachaturian, Corelli and Bizet.
MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS winter / spring All events are in Silk Hall, Radley College unless otherwise stated.
Saxophone Day
Piano Extravaganza 175
Sunday 9 January – all day
Sunday 6 March – 6pm
A day of workshops and performances for saxophonists led by special guests Chris Gumbley and Alex Clarke, culminating in a joint performance at 5pm.
Silk Hall will again be full of pianos for an entertaining and astonishing evening of multi-piano arrangements specially written for this concert. A highlight of the year.
Schools Piano Extravaganza Workshops Monday 7 March - all day
Musical Adventures: Pre-School & KS1 Concert Wednesday 26 January – 2.30pm A special event for local families led by Louise Watson and pupils from Radley College. Email musicpartnerships@radley.org.uk for more details.
Local young pianists join Radley College’s keyboard department for a day exploring music for piano ensemble.
Local Schools Chapel Event: Big Sing
Thursday 10 March – 10.30am
Hundreds of young singers join together for an unforgettable massed performance, accompanied by the new Chapel organ.
Gunn Cup Woodwind: Recital Prize Tuesday 22 February – 8pm
Hear Radley College’s most exciting woodwind performers in this special competition, after an afternoon of workshops.
Chapel Dedication Service Sunday 6 March – 10am Chapel
A special service marking the completion of the Chapel project and the installation of the new Nicholson organ.
Gala Concert Sunday 13 March – 6pm Chapel A celebration of the organ in all its guises, with music for orchestra, brass, choir and more.
spring / summer All events are in Silk Hall, Radley College unless otherwise stated.
Organ Competition
Ferguson Singing Prize
Hear Radley College’s pupil organists in action at the biennial organ competition.
Join Radley College’s singing department for a showcase of the school’s most exciting vocal performers, following an afternoon of workshops.
Radley College 175 Celebration Concert
Battle of the Bands
Tuesday 26 April - 8pm
Tuesday 17 May – 8pm
Sunday 8 May – 6pm
Thursday 26 May – 8pm
Cadogan Hall, London
The annual Battle of the Bands returns to the Theatre with prizes for original songwriting and best overall band. Always an entertaining evening, this is a wonderful opportunity to see the results of the weekly bands night and music production night.
A centrepiece in Radley College’s 175 Anniversary celebrations. This special concert will feature Radley College’s senior ensembles, including Big Band, Radley College Orchestra and Radley College Choir, performing music by Mendelssohn, Arnold, Marquez and much more. Further details and tickets will be available from the Cadogan Hall https://cadoganhall.com
College Musical Concert Performance Sunday 19 June – 6pm
The cast of the 2022 Radley College Music give a concert performance of songs from the show with professional band in the Silk Hall, before rehearsals start in the Theatre in the Autumn.
Making Music Day: Music Partnerships Performances Tuesday 21 June – all day
Musicians from across the local area join together to celebrate Making Music Day with events in schools across the Abingdon and Didcot area.
music scholarships at radley college Life-changing opportunities for talented boys with up to 100% bursary funding. For further information on Open Days and to talk to the Director of Music, please contact admissions@radley.org.uk. 01235 543174
radley.org.uk/funded-places
RADLEY
R ADLEY COLLEGE MAP
KEY 1
Lodge
2
Bursary Reception
3
Silk Hall
4
Theatre
5
Round Pavilion
6
Hall
7
Chapel
8
Mansion
9
St James the Great Church, Radley
For directions to Radley College, please visit: https://www.radley.org.uk/contact Access to the College is by the main driveway, please do not use the Sports Centre entrance. If the main gates are closed please make yourself known to staff at the Lodge, at the foot of the main drive (1). Please drive to the top of the main drive, park in a designated parking area (P) and make your way directly to the concert venue. During office hours (9am-5pm Monday to Friday) our Bursary Reception (2) is available for enquiries or directions. Alternatively, please contact the Music Department on (01235) 543 034 or by email: musicadmin@radley.org.uk.
MUSIC FLOOD primary school music week
INSPIRED? FIND OUT MORE
All of our musicians from across the week will join together in the Market Square for an hour of musical celebration. Featuring massed singing and the Blues and Roots Ensemble. Everyone is welcome!
Dunmore
Beatboxing, looping and group songwriting with the extraordinary Aminita Francis regantalentgroup.co.uk/ portfolio_page/aminitafrancis/
Contact musicpartnerships@radley.org.uk to find out about more workshops, singing, massed orchestras and other opportunities this year. Find out about taking up instrumental music lessons, hiring an instrument or joining an ensemble. You may even be eligible for free lessons, instrumental hire and ensemble membership. Or sign up for an endangered instrument and receive a lesson discount! www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/musicinterest Discover the amazing opportunities provided by the Abingdon Music Centre from baby and toddler music classes, to ensembles and lessons for children and adults. abingdonmusic.org.uk
Sunningwell
4
Music Flood: Primary School Music Week, a week to rekindle the flame, will be full of musical activities and opportunities, completely free for all who wish to participate. We would love to start the year with a really positive experience of music in our schools and area, and have chosen the week beginning 20th September to ‘flood’ our schools with musical opportunities. In partnership with the Oxfordshire Music Service we aim to foster enthusiasm and participation in enriching musical experiences, and share further information about instrumental lessons.
MUSIC FLOOD in the MARKET SQUARE: FRIDAY 2PM
A3
We know it has been a tough year for everyone and the pandemic has hit music particularly hard. We are so keen to bounce back into musical activity in all our schools.
ABINGD Caldecott
Musical ear worms with international recorder player Tabea Debus
Thameside
www.ycat.co.uk/ tabea-debus
A Jazz Band in your school with the inspirational Blues and Roots Ensemble www.bluesandroots ensemble.com
Sutton
Singing Workshops with singing resources, group singing workshops and professional development sessions led by Rose Martin, Lucy Cox and Lucy Cronin
sample week at a local school
‘Meet a Musician’ assemblies: exploring a variety of instruments, delivered by small groups of secondary school musicians
MONDAY 9am - 9:45am
Djembe Drumming
10am - 10:50am
Singing Workshop
TUESDAY Djembe Drumming workshops led by Radley College’s percussion teachers
10:10am - 11:10am
Beatboxing Workshop
11:30 - 12:00pm
Meet a Musician
WEDNESDAY 10:45am - 11:45am
Blues and Roots Ensemble
THURSDAY 8:25am - 9:25am
Singing Workshop
3:30pm
Busking in the Playground
FRIDAY
Rush Common
1:30pm - 2:30pm St Edmund’s
Abingdon Market Square Performance
Thomas Reade
numbers of the week
Kingfisher
DON
e Riv
es
am
h rT
180 primary school children attending jazz band performance at Radley College 200 primary school children performing in Abingdon Market Square Over 1700 children joining ‘meet a musician’ assemblies
Europa
Over 1000 children taking part in workshops during the week 11 primary schools with music happening every day that week Pupils from 6 secondary schools running workshops and assemblies 3 recorder workshops with special guest Tabea Debus 9 singing workshops led by professional singers 6 songwriting/beatbox workshops with international artist Aminita Francis
Courtenay
BUSKING TAKEOVER: THURSDAY 3PM Playgrounds across Abingdon and local villages will be flooded with music on Thursday afternoon, with secondary school pupils, primary school pupils and professional musicians popping up to perform for parents
4 percussion workshops with the Radley College percussion team 5 jazz band workshops in primary schools with the Blues and Roots Ensemble 10 ‘meet a musician’ assemblies with secondary school musicians 11 playground busking performances 1 jazz band performance for children and parents at Kingfisher Special School for children with severe and complex physical and/or learning difficulties
R ADLEY COLLEGE ORGAN PROJECT Radley College’s new organ is a milestone in the history of the school, and reflects the way Chapel lies at the heart of the community. With the expansion of the school, the College was determined to continue bringing all of the boys together every day for worship, and a major part of this is communal singing of a variety of hymns from different traditions, some unique to Radley. A big part of this is the organ; a strong organ accompaniment gives the boys the confidence to sing out and enjoy themselves, and every boy in the school will benefit from the new instrument. But it has other important roles to play, too: accompanying the choir (over 100 boys sing in the choir, as well as our young treble choristers from local schools), and teaching our organ pupils as they prepare for organ scholarships or just enjoy themselves playing the King of Instruments. The founder of Radley College, William Sewell, knew that a good organ would be key to the success of Chapel, and the College’s first organ in 1848 was internationally famous – it was exported back to Dublin for the Great Industrial Exhibition of 1853 before being returned to Chapel with a free additional 32’ stop as a gesture of thanks from the organ builder, Telford of Dublin. Since then the organ went through several rebuilds, with very little of the original surviving (although one pedal stop from 1848 has made it into the new instrument). As the school became larger from the 1920s onwards, the need for more space in chapel saw the organ relegated to chambers on the sides of the building. This makes it hard for the sound of the organ to be heard to full effect.The expansion of Chapel in 2020-21 has meant that we can put the organ back for the first time since 1937 in the best position possible – the centre of the gallery. This is where it needs to be to enable
OCTOBER 2017 Submission of organ design by Nicholson & Co
APRIL 2019 Signing of contract for the new organ
FEBRUARY 2020 Work starts in Nicholson & Co’s workshop in Malvern
JULY 2021 Installation of the organ begins in Chapel
All events are in the Radley College Chapel unless otherwise stated.
Anna Lapwood Saturday 5 March – all day Organist, conductor and broadcaster, Anna Lapwood joins the Radley College organ team for a day of workshops and performances for the whole family. Email musicpartnerships@radley. org.uk for more details.
Chapel Dedication Service Sunday 6 March – 10am A special service marking the completion of the Chapel project and the installation of the new Nicholson organ.
Local Schools Chapel Event: Big Sing Thursday 10 March – 10:30am Hundreds of young singers join together for an unforgettable massed performance, accompanied by the new Chapel organ. everyone in Chapel to hear it to best advantage, and it has given Nicholson & Co the space to create a landmark new instrument which will be appreciated by Radleians for many years to come. The new organ has three manuals and pedals, with 48 speaking stops and 2651 pipes. It is a blend of traditional voicing and mechanisms – all but the pedal department will have mechanical action, which is preferred both for reliability and for the ‘feel’ and connection the player has with the instrument – and modern electronic aids, including an enhanced system of preset piston memories which will support plenty of players, boys and dons. The console also incorporates controls for the chapel audio and video systems, and even Bluetooth page turning buttons for performers playing from a tablet computer.
Thomas Trotter Opening Recital Saturday 12 March – 8pm Join one of the world’s greatest organists for a special recital marking the opening of the new Chapel organ, following a day of masterclasses with young organists.
Gala Concert Sunday 13 March – 6pm A celebration of the organ in all its guises, with music for orchestra, brass, choir and more.
Organ Competition Tuesday 26 April – 8pm
SEPTEMBER 2021 Final voicing and tonal finishing
NOVEMBER 2021 Organ in use for the first time
MARCH 2022 Dedication of the organ and opening recital
Hear Radley’s pupil organists in action at the biennial organ competition.
Be a chorister at r adley college
“The weekly practices and Sunday service are the highlights of the boys’ weekly activities. They love every aspect of it, from the weekly music theory instruction and service, to the choir and instruments’ concerts and mini tours. It’s opened a whole world of quality musical opportunity, precious beyond any of our expectations.” Current chorister parents
For boys aged 7 to 12
01235 543034
amc.cooke@radley.org.uk
Radley for Life
Bursary support available at 11+, 13+ or Sixth Form for talented boys. Radley College is a top boys’ boarding school near Oxford. To find out more about Funded Places please join us on 6th November 2021. To book a place please call or email Admissions or visit our website.
admissions@radley.org.uk
01235 543174
radley.org.uk/funded-places
HOW TO BOOK Most events are free of charge but we recommend you book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Visit radleymusic.eventbrite.co.uk for ticketing information.
WITH THANKS TO OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS Primary Schools Sunningwell School St Edmund’s School Caldecott School Europa School Radley Primary School Sutton Courtenay School Rush Common School Kingfisher School Thameside School Dunmore Primary School Thomas Reade School
Secondary Schools John Mason School Didcot Girls School St Birinus School Larkmead School Fitzharrys School Abingdon School St Helen and St Katharine School
Radley College Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 2HR
www.radley.org.uk
Telephone 01235 543 000