Outstanding Scholars and Chamber Concert Follows Masterclass Workshop

Our music scholars and chamber ensembles enjoyed a day of masterclasses given by Jocelyn Freeman. Jocelyn is a professional pianist, conductor, curator end educator. She coached solo pianists, woodwind, brass and string players, as well as our three piano trios and string quartet. In addition, our prep school’s talented string quartet took part. The chamber ensembles are this year entering the prestigious Pro Corda national schools chamber music competition, so Jocelyn’s tutelage was invaluable in preparing them for this event. Caterham School is also a host school for the competition this year. The masterclasses focussed on creating an engaging opening to pupils’ pieces, which they were able to put into practice in a concert, which followed in the evening. The chamber ensembles performed excerpts from Dvorak’s String Quartet in F major (‘American’), Clara Schumann’s Piano Trio in G minor, Frank Bridge’s ‘Romance’ from Nine Miniatures for Piano Trio, and Ravel’s Piano Trio. Highlights among the soloists were Mumu (saxophone) performing Tableaux de Provence by Paule Maurice, Florence (piano) performing Beethoven’s Piano No 2, and Mannix (cello) performing Brahms’s Cello Sonata in E minor.