Online Recital: The Music Scholars of James Allen’s Girls’ School

The Programme

Keira Barret – soprano
Ola Kiezun – cello
Rachel Murphy – violin
Elyssa Hatton – cello
Safiya Williams – piano
Viola Farbach – violin
Charis Hanning – accompanist

Recorded live at St Bride’s on Friday 15th March

Dixit Dominus
Virgam virtutis tuae
Keira Barret

Suite for cello
1. Preludio – Fantasi
Ola Kiezun

Violin Concerto No 1 in A minor
Rachel Murphy

Cello Sonata in G minor, Op 19
3. Andante
Elyssa Hatton

Eight Concert Études, Op 40
1. Prelude
Safiya Williams

Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, Op 28
Viola Farbach

The Artists

The performers you hear today are all Music Scholars at James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) in Dulwich, South-East London. The standard of music making at JAGS is high and there is tremendous enthusiasm for performing. The Music Scholars are often the leaders of a lively symphonic and chamber music scene at the school.

The ethos of the music department, and in indeed the whole school, is to balance excellence and inclusivity. There are opportunities for girls to perform in a wide range of genres; from rock and pop through to classical. There are opportunities for student leadership in music including the Gospel Choir (led entirely by girls) and the House Music competitions.

Both Gustav Holst and Vaughan Williams were former Directors of Music at JAGS and today their legacy lives on; not only in the two halls in the school named after them, but also in the abundance of music making that fills the school on a daily basis.

Musicians of the highest calibre pass through the school’s precincts, honing their gifts within a full and rounded academic education. At entry, some girls consider applying for specialist music schools but, since JAGS operates at the cutting edge of girls’ education for those with exceptional academic ability, it is capable of providing a holistic education that is regarded by many as second to none.

Tommy Foster (Director of Music)