Margaret Pemberton of the second year Sixth Form became President of the Music Society this year and, under her leadership, the Society has undertaken a number of concerts. Last May a Concert was given by the Orchestra, Choir and other groups. The main Orchestra played Polkas by Smetana and Weinberger, and the Junior Orchestra, giving its first public performance, played "The Metronome". The recorder group, brass ensemble and violin group contributed various items and "Fokus", the sixth form group, gave its last performance when the members were students of the School. The highlight of the evening was a performance by the Choir of Ik "pop" cantata, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", composed by the writers of the now much-publicised, "rock" musical, "Jesus Christ Superstar."

July saw the presentation of an Informal Evening of Music which, as well as containing items by the Choir and the Junior Orchestra, gave additional scope for solo and ensemble items. These contributions came mainly, 'though not exclusively, from the Junior part of the School. It was interesting on this occasion to see the violin groups making such progress and the clarinet players including an item from the current "Top Twenty" amongst their pieces. This Concert, too, saw the debut of a folk group in the Middle School who have since given several performances both in and out of School.

The end of the Autumn Term brought no less than four Christmas Concerts, all with varying programmes. The annual visit to the Pensioners' Hall in Prescot to sing carols was enjoyed by audience and performers alike. A smaller group of girls went to sing carols at a party for blind people in the Columbia Hall and as usual members of the Lower Sixth arranged a traditional Carol Service with readings on the last morning of term.

The main event, however, was the Christmas Concert in the School Hall on Thursday, 14th December. On this occasion the Choirs, Orchestras, recorder, clarinet, violin and folk groups combined to present a programme of Christmas Music, marking a departure from the more traditional Service of Lessons and Carols which we have had for the last few years. The Concert aimed to present the Christmas Story in as many different ways as possible and to include the whole spectrum of ability from beginners' recorders and clarinets to those who had been learning for a much longer period of time.

A fine performance of two little-known carols from abroad and a modern setting of "Ave Maria" by Kodaly was given by the Chamber Choir. The Junior Orchestra played several seasonal items while the main Orchestra gave a spirited and confident performance of its works, including the "Farandole" by Bizet. Chorus, string orchestra, recorders and percussion joined forces in a work entitled, "The Infant King", which included several readings. A touch of nostalgia was given when the Folk Group sang "White Christmas" and the evening was brought to a rousing conclusion by a performance of Cartwright's "Christmas Jazz" for choir, pianoforte, drum kit, string bass and miscellaneous percussion. This
contemporary work allowed the performers to "let their hair down" and express the true joy of the Christmas message.

Last May some girls from Form Two attended a Concert for Schools entitled, "Music for the Ballet". Introduced by Antony Hopkins, the programme ranged from such well-established classic composers as Tchaikovsky to more modern composers such as Aaron Copland. A party of girls from Form Four saw a performance of "The Mikado" given by students of C. F. Mott College of Education and the Sixth Form Advanced Level musicians went to a Lecture-Recital given by the local harpsichord and clavichord builder and performer, Thomas Wess. Throughout the year the School has been well represented at the Industrial Concerts given by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Many girls have achieved success in instrumental examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. The violinists are to be particularly congratulated on their passes, having endured numerous changes of teacher during the past few months. Merit passes have been achieved by Victoria Eccles (Violin), Anne Pilling (Double Bass), Christine Miller, Helen Price and Gillian Radley (Qarinet), and Hilary McCabe passed Grade III Clarinet with distinction. Carolyn Jessop is also to be congratulated on her notable achievements in various local Music Festivals.

The number of girls learning instruments in School remains fairly constant, certain instruments seeming to be particularly popular. Soon we shall be able to boast a Clarinet Orchestra of twenty-five, accompanied by some dozen girls on the newly-acquired timpani. These latter instruments are the "pride and joy" of the department.

At present we are working for our next venture —a joint production with C. F. Mott College of the Benjamin Britten Opera, "Noye's Fludde" to be performed in May. In conclusion I should like to thank all those who have in any way contributed to the above-mentioned productions, particularly those members of staff who have given up their valuable time to sing with the Choir and those who have helped behind the scenes and with refreshments. It is only by the efforts and hard work of all that we can proceed to further ventures.

H.B.