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Friends of the School
Barn Dance
It looked like a good time was had by all at the FOS Barn Dance on Saturday evening. It was a beautiful summer evening, and several "revellers" took advantage of the weather by sitting and eating outside. We sold 80 tickets, and towards the end of the evening, when the dancing really got going, nearly everyone was on the dance floor, a very "cosy" place to be, but I don't think there were too many squashed toes. The fish and chip supper went down very well. with several people commenting on the good food, which was supplied by Fishers. The band "One the Rum" were excellent, and Val, their caller has a very good way of getting people up and dancing. It is always rewarding to see these events supported, and thank you to everyone who came along. Thank you also, to those who helped, in whatever small way, either setting up in the afternoon and clearing away in the evening which made it a very quick and easy job, to the table decorations and picking the strawberries. I hope you will join us for out next Family events, which will be the Autumn Fair and Burns Night in January 2009 - watch this space!
Latest Newsletter
To download the most recent Newsletter from the Chairman of the FOS, please select this link.
Red Priest Concert
Burgess Hill was definitely the place to be on Saturday 2nd February, with the dynamic Baroque quartet, Red Priest’s concert, “Carnival of the Seasons” held at Burgess Hill School for Girls and organised by the Friends of the School Association.
“Red Priest” was the nickname given to the flame-haired virtuoso violinist, Antonio Vivaldi, a priest who was also the Head of Music at an orphanage in eighteenth century Venice. The programme was based on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, written originally for full orchestra and solo violin, adapted for just four musicians: harpsichordist Howard Beach, violinist Julia Bishop, cellist Angela East, and Piers Adams, the band’s leader and renowned international soloist, arguably one of the best recorder players in the world.
Barking dogs, a dying stag, drunken peasants, summer storms and a trilling goldfinch were just some of the pictures marked on the score, delightfully portrayed by the various instruments. This theatrical interpretation of the score was about as far removed from either the formal concert hall or supermarket piped muzak versions as it is possible to get. The spirit of Baroque improvisation was represented too, with a calypso version of the familiar slow movement from F minor “Winter” concerto. Vivaldi’s score was interspersed with other seasonal contemporary fare, including “The Crucifixion” from Biber’s Rosary sonatas, Correlli’s Christmas Concerto and JS Bach’s haunting D minor prelude for solo cello.
The many youngsters in the 300-strong audience were captivated by Robert Johnson’s Witches’ Dance, representing Halloween, complete with hisses, cackles and a ghoul jumping out from the harpsichord. In the interval, young BHSfG recorder players could be heard chattering excitedly to their teacher about the range of recorders used, including a four-foot bass and a tiny garklein. At one point, Adams was even playing two descant recorders at once. Few parents could have left the hall that night still with the common, but mistaken, belief that a recorder, of whatever size, is not a proper musical instrument.
This was a night to remember, a finely tuned balance of drama, comedy, and dazzling musicianship.
FOS Autumn Fair
Parents, friends, children and the general public were encouraged to start their shopping early at the FOS Autumn Fair run on 13th October 2007 in the Croft Hall and Gym. The FOS provided a delicious selection of cakes, lunches and drinks from the kitchen as well as running a cake stall, tombola and popular children’s activity stalls.
Over 40 tables were run by professional stall holders, selling books, toys, jewellery, cards, paintings, handbags and lots more. Tables were also run by girls taking part in the Young Enterprise scheme and raising money for the 2007 nominated school charity.
The Autumn Fair raised over £1,430, gave girls an opportunity to be involved and was such a success that the FOS will be running an Autumn Fair in 2008.
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