Taunton School clarinet quintet reaches national final of Pro Corda Schools’ Chamber Music Festival

Taunton School’s clarinet quintet recently celebrated as they reached the national finals of the Pro Corda Schools’ Chamber Music Festival.

The Year 9 and 10 students which made up the quintet performed exceptionally throughout the festival, progressing through the regional round and the semi-final where they were selected as one of five finalists after receiving high praise and excellent feedback.

The final, held on Sunday 17th March at Central Foundation Boys’ School in Central London, saw the quintet perform Paul Reade’s Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite.

Mr. Reading, Co-ordinator of Vocal and Instrumental Studies, said of the achievement: “The group should be extremely proud of their performance in the National Finals.

“Chamber music is one of the pillars of performance and allows musicians to act as both soloist and support and take full responsibility for their role in the group. The group was delighted to be chosen as a national finalist and perform alongside the finest young chamber musicians in the country.

“Through this process the ensemble has taken their feedback on board and risen to the challenge of upping the standard of their performance each time and have developed a strong bond as a result. They are already looking forward to taking part in their next performance as an ensemble.”

The national annual competition is organised by Pro Corda, a charity which exists to provide for and conduct the education of young people and others in music with a particular focus on chamber music. Pro Corda is led by concert pianist Andrew Quartermain and this year’s competition adjudicator was Dr Evan Rothstein, Deputy Head of Strings at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.