Write a commentThe annual Spring Concert was held in St Colman's College on Thursday evening, March 31 in the school assembly hall.
The concert opened with Superman Returns performed by the school orchestra. The orchestra, led by Conor Masterson, also played the very famous waltz from Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky.
A primary aim of the evening always is to promote the younger instrumentalists in the school. In the concert band, novice saxophonists, flautists, trumpeters and percussionists joined forces with seasoned players in Challenge the Future.
The very large, supportive audience was treated to The Sanctuary, West Kerry Polka and Jimmy Seery’s Reel from the traditional group. They offered a warm reception to the junior string ensembles, brass ensembles, jazz and big band music as well as hearing music from the flute duo and saxophone ensemble.
Participating students and audience alike were inspired by performances from a number of very talented soloists. Chengrun Shi (guitar), a past-pupil of St Joseph’s High School and now a final year music student at St Colman’s College performed The Entertainer by Scott Joplin. Matthew Dodds (piano) performed Dr Gradus ad Parnassum by Debussy and in contrast James Murphy (piano) played Liszt’s Nocturne No 3 in A flat. It was however Conor Masterson (violin), leader of SELB South Ulster Youth Orchestra and now a final year student at St Colman's College who provided the highlight of the evening with his performance of Nigun from Baal Sheem by Ernest Bloch.
In keeping with tradition, the final performances of the evening were a celebration of choral work in the school. The boys’ choir once again drew great audience applause for their vibrant rendition of Five Eyes by Armstrong-Gibbs. The full choir of St Colman’s College, drew the evening to a close by racing through The Beatles in Revue, a fine medley of fifteen Lennon & McCartney classics arranged by Ed Lojeski.
As well as the very popular Concert the College were very successful in the Newry Musical Feis with their Saxophone Ensemble winning The Geordie Berry Cup and Class 64: Woodwind Ensemble (Junior) 18 years and under.
In the photograph are James Sands (soprano sax), Conor McNamee, Timothy Conway (alto sax), Tiernan McGowan, Kieran O’Donnell (tenor sax) and Connor Campbell (baritone sax). Joint runners up were flute duo, James Murphy and Ciarán Martin (flute)
