Wide Range of Music offered on Founder's Day

Founder’s Day Arts Week was a wonderful opportunity for a variety of Lancing's musicians to come together and provide entertainment for the College’s celebrations. The Concert allowed those of us in the Symphony Orchestra to explore some more light-hearted repertoire, such as music from the Gladiator film. The Chapel Service saw a reprise of Matthew Martin’s anthem commissioned by the Choir and a touching performance of Faure’s timeless Sanctus from the Requiem. The near lack of an alto part gave me the chance to listen to the beauty of the music around me. On the day itself, prize giving was preceded by music from the organ loft (which had never had to bear the weight of quite so many instruments!) – a definite highlight for me was the enormous sounds of the TamTam ringing through the Chapel in Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. To end the week, we gathered on the balcony of the Cricket Pavilion to accompany the jollities of sports day with live music. The lively Neutron Dance from the Big Band and the cheerful Colonel Bogey march from the Concert Band ensured that everyone was spurred on.

Benjamin I-C, Lower Sixth

As part of the preparations for Founder’s Day Arts Week, we were busy rehearsing for the many music events. On the Wednesday, the annual Summer Concert took place where I played my violin in both the String Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra. The String Chamber Orchestra performed the first movement from Vivaldi’s Concerto for two cellos in G minor, and the Symphony Orchestra finished the concert performing Mozart’s Horn Concerto in Eb, Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No.4, Bernstein’s The Great Escape and an arrangement from the film Gladiator.

During the course of the afternoon on Founder's Day, whilst various sporting activities took place, there was a variety of musical entertainment from the balcony of the Cricket Pavilion. Grace S and I (violins) played with Sofia R (vocals) in an ensemble performance of What a Wonderful World. It was a remarkable week filled with many fond memories which I will cherish for a long time to come.

Amelie L, Fifth Form

This year’s Founder’s Day concert was great fun and an immense joy to play in. I played with Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band. My favourite of all the pieces played was The Typewriter by Leroy Anderson, which I conducted. It was great fun to conduct and it was received very well by the audience. For the Founder’s Day service the Choir sang the Sanctus from Faure’s Requiem Mass and Matthew Martin’s anthem The Earth is the Lord’s written for the dedication of the Chapel porch. I was also involved in the music for Sport Day, playing with Concert Band. It was great to be able to bring back some old pieces including Colonel Bogey, Bandology and Chariots of Fire.

Theo A, Fifth Form

The Founder’s Day concert marked my last concert in Lancing but also my debut as a female student conductor, when I had the opportunity to conduct the Concert Band. The night was filled with exciting repertoire, ranging from classics like Bohemian Rhapsody by Honk! to the atypical of Anderson’s Typewriter, performed by the Concert Band and Mr Langworthy as the typist. My favourite of all was Gladiator, an exciting and vivacious work for the Symphony Orchestra, concluding the night with a powerful and unforgettable performance.

Claudia W, Upper Sixth