This summer, Harrow Shenzhen’s summer concert took the audience on a musical journey around the world. From the vibrant rhythms of Kenya to the timeless melodies of Europe, and from the soulful harmonies of North America to the infectious energy of Latin dances, there was so much to enjoy.
Let’s celebrate the beauty of music together!
♬..♩~ ♫. ♪..
African Dawn Illuminates Young Harrovians
The concert opened with our Junior Choir performing, a lively and joyful piece called Baiskeli. This music is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and rich culture of Kenya.
Shortly after, the 9JL String Quartet premiered ‘Allegretto’ – a Baroque-meets-pentatonic marvel composed by Year 11 student Johnny. This piece made violins sing in the dialect of Shenzhen Bay.
Johnny Year 11
I felt thrilled and nervous before the piece was played, but after performing, everyone on the spot gave us a huge round of applause. Undoubtedly, it’s what every performer wants to see, and it is also a tremendous support for everyone who worked hard on this. I felt the achievement of composing the song, and I would like to give special praise to the performers; they did excellently well. Hopefully, we can continue working on music to present something that is more pleasant and melodious.
Britannia Meets Canadian Wilderness
Now, let’s travel across the sea to the United Kingdom, where our Senior Choir performed Torrents in Summer by Edward Elgar. This piece captures the raw power of summer storms.
They then performed ‘Land of the Silver Birch’, a heartfelt traditional folk song celebrating the natural beauty of Canada.
Following that, the Chamber Choir performed ‘And So It Goes’. This is a classic song by Billy Joel that draws on North American and Irish musical traditions.
East-West Alchemy by Friends of Harrow
The Harrow Friends Ensemble became cultural alchemists. They performed two iconic pieces, ‘Blue & White Porcelain’ and ‘Big Fish’. Their passion transcends borders, just like these songs, uniting us through shared melodies and heartfelt expression.
Youthful Energy and Passion
Our Junior String Ensemble took on Holst’s ‘Jupiter’ with interstellar ambition, their 5/4 rhythms tracing orbital paths across the Milky Way.
Not to be outdone, the Junior Mixed Ensemble set South America ablaze. Tango violins duelled cha-cha guitars in a Latin showdown that left soles tapping and hearts racing.
Rat Pack Swagger Meets Gypsy Fire
The Big Band’s Sinatra medley oozed Vegas cool, with brass sections swinging like martini shakers.
Then, the Orchestra exploded into Brahms’ ‘Hungarian Dance No.5’. This piece is inspired by lively Hungarian folk dance that is sure to get your toes tapping.
Grand Finale: When Stars Align
For our grand finale, all our groups returned to the stage to perform ‘Sogno Di Volare’ by Christopher Tin. This piece draws inspiration from Italian culture and has become a modern classic. Let’s give a big round of applause to all our performers for sharing this incredible musical journey with us!
Harrow Shenzhen extends the warmest of welcomes to all prospective parents and pupils at its Open Events. You will have the chance to meet key staff, visit our outstanding facilities, interact with current pupils and see for yourselves just what makes our School so different.
