Choral Society features the work of an Exeter School pupil for the first time

For the first time, Exeter School’s Choral Society concert features the work of one its very own pupils.

Upper Sixth Former Fionn Connolly, who has recently received an offer to read Music at Cambridge University, composed Ring on Ring inspired by the poetry of Sylvia Plath.

The school community of about 130 pupils alongside parents, staff, alumni and friends of Exeter School, accompanied by a full professional orchestra, will perform Fionn’s piece on Thursday 19 March 2015 in Exeter Cathedral.

Fionn was very influenced by the music of Max Richter, Eric Whitacre and Toru Takemitsu, all of whom in their different ways manipulate the harmony in their music to create an evocative sound world, which he really wanted to achieve with Ring on Ring.

“I also wanted the beauty of Sylvia Plath’s poetry to be reflected in the music I was writing, without subtracting from the meaning of the poem,” said Fionn.

“I am very grateful to the Sylvia Plath Estate for allowing the use of ‘Winter Trees’ in my composition.

“I have an offer to study Music at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, next year, and I plan to keep writing music there and for the foreseeable future.”

Former pupil Lucy Bray will be taking centre stage in the school’s performance of Bernstein’s edgy and innovative MASS in which current pupils also feature.

2012 leaver Lucy is a soprano training at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and studies with Neil Baker.

She said she was delighted to return to sing with the Choral Society with whom she was soprano soloist for Mozart’s Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria. While studying at Exeter School, Lucy was the winner of the Two Moors Festival in association with Classic FM in 2012.

The Choral Society will also perform two of Handel's Coronation Anthems, Zadok the Priest and The King Shall Rejoice.

Director of Music Peter Tamblyn said it was exciting to be able to share so many of the solo roles out amongst the pupils as well as a former pupil. 

"The concert edition of MASS celebrates Bernstein's dedication to the music education of young people and his passion for peace, goals central to the arts and education," he said.

"Handel always matched his music to the occasion and the building for which it was written, and no occasion could be grander than a coronation and what better place than Exeter Cathedral to perform such a rousing piece of music?"

He added: "We are very proud of Fionn's accomplishment - it bodes well for a promising career in Music."

Prices for the concert are £16 (in the main body of the cathedral, where sound and vision are at their best), £11 (towards the back of the cathedral) and £8 (unreserved side aisle seats). There are reductions for children. Tickets are available to purchase from www.exeterschool.org.uk/box-office

People with special access requirements are asked to contact the Box Office on (01392) 458934.