In early March, the music department hosted a very special music scholars' concert. The evening included performances by music scholars, as well as guest performers from the A level music and music technology courses. 

The evening was a celebration of the great German composer, Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th birthday. The programme included many of his works such as the beloved “Moonlight” and “Pathetique” sonatas for piano. The evening also included works from other composers who were inspired by Beethoven’s unique style. These included Arban’s virtuoso “Carnival of Venice”, Enescu’s “Cantabile et Presto” for flute, Poulenc’s “Oboe Sonata”, Richardson’s “Three Pieces” for saxophone and Gershwin’s jazzy tones in his “Three Preludes” for piano. Beethoven’s contemporary and mentor, Joseph Haydn was also represented by a “Presto” movement at the piano.

This concert also celebrated the inclusiveness of performing together with other musicians, with second year scholars creating a magical French soundscape with Gaubert’s “Trois Aquarelles” and Vaughan Williams’ “Greensleeves”. Two impressive and moving world premieres were also presented by first year student, Maddie McClements with her own composition titled “Beethoven Infused Tea” and second year student, Joe Christman’s electronic piece “Probably Not Beethoven”, that was heard in surround sound in a darkened room. The Distraction Band’s “The Reggae One” closed the concert, leaving the audience tapping their feet the whole way home.

The addition of electronic and rock music made the concert a first for the music department and celebrated the start of a new collaborative and inclusive relationship between the A level music and music technology departments at Farnborough. It was a fantastic evening which truly highlighted the ethos of The Sixth Form College Farnborough.