Nicholas Freestone – young musician

Tuesday 29th April was a busy day for any musician in Ipswich School. Here’s my personal take on things – be prepared for a long read!

The Rehearsals

I arrived at school at my usual time (around 8:10am) and waited to depart. I had a feeling of excitement – it was set to be a great use of a day, and a day which would be benefiting for all. Big Band members got on the bus at 8:50am and enjoyed the journey by looking at Mr David Walsh’s great pictures and stories from his recent sabbatical term in Vietnam. We arrived, had to traipse through puddles to get to the quadrangle (Snape is currently a dump with all the building work going on). I was very impressed with the set-up that Sam and Dave had done – it was all ready for us. I was less impressed with the Digital Organ that we had hired – it looked impressive enough, dominating the side of the stage, but some of the sounds were atrocious!

The Big Band rehearsal went well, though I (and some others) thought that perhaps we over-rehearsed, playing through all our numbers for the concert. The levels were also very different from our usual rehearsal venue, leading to some quick readjustments of dynamic markings. Despite starting on time, we ended 15 minutes late – so the expected overrun had occurred!

The Prep Orchestra and Choir were now rehearsing, so I went into the marshes with Sam Wilson, who had also composed a piece to be played by the orchestra, to have our photo taken by the Headmaster for propaganda purposes.

By the time we got back, it was almost time for the orchestra rehearsal. We spent ages getting onto stage, getting the seats in the right place and arguing with the stage management (“You don’t need extra seats.” “We do!” “No you don’t, we haven’t got any on our plan!” etc.) Finally it was time for the music to begin. Sam’s piece went well, sounding like a suitable opening for a concert of this calibre. The Schubert also went well, with added players making a beefy noise to take full advantage of the Snape acoustic. Then it was my turn. I felt very privileged when stepping up on the conducting podium, and commanding the orchestra. It mostly went well, although I felt that the percussion could have been louder in places, and Tom the trumpet’s solo went wrong 6 times out of the 7 we rehearsed it! Still, there’s only so much you can do.

So, an opportunity for a lunch break and I was most annoyed to have to take a lunch box with two sets of sandwiches and no chocolate bar. Honestly, we pay £3,000 per term and this is what we get!

There wasn’t much time anyway, soon we were back on stage for the Chichester Psalms rehearsal. This went well, despite the drama of a Year 7 collapsing and the fact that we were unable to have many members of the Choral Society with us, as they were at work! All my rehearsing duties were over, so it was back to the dressing-room for a wind down. I heard the Lower School singing (OK, but little better) and then Charlotte singing, accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra (fantastic).

So, back on the bus to school and a little digression. For the school had arranged an interview with local radio.  It was a live phoneline interview, which was a new experience for me.  I really enjoyed it at the time, but it was sadly soured by events following the interview.

I arrived home just in time for a bite to eat, and then set of to Snape again, in time for the concert.

The Concert

I arrived in time to help carry some percussion instruments on stage and put my score on the conductors’ stand. Then it was into the dressing room to warm up and prepare. I was not nervous, but instead excited, and preoccupied myself by trying to find the double-bassist and ask he/she to play in my piece. It was mission accomplished and in no time at all we were walking on stage. So a few deep breaths and we were in…

Fanfare Overture – Sam Wilson (First Performance)

This piece started with the trumpet call, which Tom played very well. He split one note at the beginning, but you can’t have it all! The piece went quickly with all the horn bits going fine – the brass stood up a bit late for their solo though! So the final phrase, tumultuous applause, a bow for Mr Leach and a bow for Sam for composing this marvelous work – well deserved!

First Movement from Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished) – Franz Schubert

Ed came onto the stage to applause and bowed efficiently, before a flourish of the baton and we were in. I ballsed up my little solo, moving from a long note a bar early, getting a pained look from Ed and all of the audience. Oops. Then an even worse thought came into my head. I had left my jacket on my seat that had been tidied away when the Intermediate Orchestra had left! I looked for it whenever I had any bars rest, and eventually saw it lying on the back of the stage. Phew. I was then able to concentrate on the rest of the piece now that little storm-in-a-teacup had been dealt with. The final chords were superb in the Snape acoustic and Ed also took great applause before walking off. Now it was my turn…

Le Pont – Nicholas Freestone (First Performance)

I put on my jacket, clasped my baton and waited for Ed to get sat down and put a reed in his oboe. “Go,” a stage manager told me. It was time. I walked on with a huge smile on my face, gesturing the orchestra to get up. After receiving applause and taking a bow, I sat them down and raised my baton. I was slightly perturbed that the second timpani note didn’t appear to sound, but it was “like a barely audible whisper” like I requested, so I can’t complain too much! In fact all rhythms were rock solid and there was lots of dynamic contrast also. The trombone solo was in time (far better than the rehearsal earlier) and it was time for the complicated bit! Everyone played well, and the time came to point at Tom. He played it in time – what a legend! Everyone came in back together and we were fine until the end. I may have rushed the bows a bit at the end, but what the heck! They played well and that was the main thing. I collected my horn and went back to the dressing-room triumphant, but also very tired now the adrenalin had run out!

Prep School Orchestra & Choir, Lower School

I didn’t really listen to these. I just sat in the dressing room chatting with others and feeling relieved! It sounded to be getting high levels of applause though, which was a good sign! Soon though, it was time for the Chamber Orchestra, and everyone in the dressing-room shut up!

The “Morning” Cantata – Thomas Arne

I couldn’t hear it very well, but Charlotte sang fantastically. That’s all there is to say really about this item!

–INTERVAL–

Chichester Psalms – Leonard Bernstein

This went well, though I was told that it was a little too organ heavy (sorry Mr Saunders). I enjoyed singing it, and it really went quickly. Great instrumental work, great singing and well done to the woman in front of me who turned her page over during the Amen to see what was coming next!

Big Band Jazz Standards

I’ll lump these together, because I’m getting tired now! It all went well, despite Dave forgetting that he needed his leads before we started the first piece! There was great atmosphere and it was a superb way to end the concert. My solo went well, although when accompanying Tom the next time through, I changed chord a bar early – another oops from me! The audience enjoyed Gonna Fly Now from Rocky and 118 118, and it was time for the encore – Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock. A big opportunity for solos and the concert ended the way it began, with a Sam Wilson flourish on the drums to send the audience home happy.

Thanks to all for the great opportunity we had at Snape. Messers Leach and Saunders for the superb music making in the school, and the Headmaster for announcing and doing so much more behind the scenes. Bring on 2010!