Captivating Performance by Mr Mason

On Epiphany Sunday, we were enormously lucky to have our very own Mr Mason, Director of Music, invite us all to what was his spell-binding performance of Olivier Messiaen’s enchanting and very powerful Christmas masterpiece for organ: La Nativité du Seigneur. It is a combination of different movements which depict at various times the stillness, excitement, and majesty of the different sections of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It utilises Messiaen’s typical harmonic devices, creating some very evocative and scrunchy chords and some thrilling progressions that underpin various rhythmic complexities.

Mr Mason, as ever, made it all look rather easy! He found inventive and provocative registrations (the different combinations of sounds used together on the organ) that were very effective in getting the message of the narrative across. Even the use of silence between the movements aided the performance, allowing moments of reflection on the music that had just floated past, and, indeed, that had sometimes thundered past. The atmosphere itself was particularly appropriate – a rather cold Chapel, but warmly lit, seated a good number of listeners. Mr Mason’s own immersion in the music was a privilege to witness – it is an inspiration for us all to see an artist that so wholeheartedly ‘lives and breathes’ his work.

Benjamin I-C, Upper Sixth

This term so far the Music School has welcomed two renowned musicians. Internationally renowned composer Sally Beamish visited on 18 January. Sally has had works performed at the BBC Proms and has composed in all genres from chamber music to symphonic works and ballet. Sally is also the composer of In the stillness, a beautiful carol sung by the Choir in last year’s carol services. It was a thrill for some of our A Level composition students to work with Sally who gave really encouraging and positive feedback to all the participants. Her talk in the evening was attended by the Music Scholars and A Level students and was a fascinating insight into her career and journey to becoming an established composer. 

On 13 January we welcomed distinguished choral conductor and singer Ben Parry to work with the Choral Scholars. Ben is Musical Director of London Voices, which provides singing for most of the major films you will have seen in recent years (from The Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter). He’s also Artistic Director of the National Youth Choir and until recently directed King’s Voices, the mixed choir of King’s College, Cambridge. 

Ben worked with Lancing’s singers in the afternoon culminating in a service of evensong with music by Byrd, Walmisley and the anthem No small wonder by Paul Edwards. Of his visit Ben Parry said ‘What a thrill to get the chance to visit Lancing, and, what’s more, sing evensong in your glorious chapel! I’ve always wanted to see this spectacular building, being rather a sucker for Gothic architecture, and it really doesn’t disappoint. The choir was so responsive to my direction, and clearly music is alive and thriving at Lancing College. Choral evensong is always a special moment of calm and reflection in the day, whether or not one is religious, and to direct the music in such an inspiring space was truly an honour.’

We look forward to many more musical events later in the term. More details and booking links can be found here.