DUCHESS OF KENT OPENS NEW MUSIC SCHOOL

Eltham College Chamber Choir perform Karl Jenkins World Premiere

On Tuesday 8th November the Duchess of Kent visited Eltham College to open the new Music School and attend a Gala Concert. The event united the forces of the College’s resident professional Orchestra, the Orchestra of St Johns, and the College’s own Chamber Choir. The concert began with a piece written especially for the occasion by internationally renowned composer Karl Jenkins who began his musical career as a jazz musician, gaining fame as keyboard player in the group ‘Soft Machine’. It is perhaps for his Adiemus project and ‘classical’ works and he has recently found even greater success with his Mass for Peace – the Armed Man. Karl has entered Classic FM’s “Hall of Fame” in the Top Ten for two years’ - the highest position for any living composer. Earlier this year he was awarded an OBE for services to British Music, by Her Majesty the Queen, in the New Year’s Honours List. The concert also included a performance of Vaughan Williams’ Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus, during which Eltham College’s most advanced string players had the opportunity to play alongside members of the OSJ.

During her visit the Duchess, a keen musician herself, took time to talk with musicians from the College, asking about there various musical commitments as well as talking about her own passion for music education. The new Music School at Eltham College provides pupils with access to outstanding facilities. The impressive building houses nine practice rooms, ensemble coaching rooms, a percussion studio, recording studio and rock studio, an IT suite, two music libraries and two classrooms. Eltham College’s Director of Music, Tim Johnson was justifiably delighted with the whole event and said that “the completion of the new Music School has finally provided pupils at Eltham College with the facilities to match their talent and enthusiasm. The Gala Concert was an unforgettable experience for all the pupils involved and was thoroughly enjoyed by all those in attendance”.