Chamber Music Fills Blackheath Halls Again

On Wednesday 23 March, after a three-year absence, Blackheath Halls resonated once again with the exquisite sounds of Alleyn’s chamber music performances, drawn from the Alleyn’s music programme over the academic year.

The concert, which celebrated its 10th year, showcased mainly string and piano groups – plus one flute and French horn serenade - who have been performing in a series of internal Lunchtime Concerts and recently visited by the Gould Piano as part of the Alleyn’s International Concert Series. Many groups who performed at Blackheath Halls received coaching in open classes, and from a wonderful evening concert given by this leading chamber ensemble.

Director of Music Chris Dearmer expressed his joy at being back at Blackheath Halls. “Tonight was significant for lots of reasons. It was significant as the first time since 2019 we could celebrate the culmination of an academic year's worth of chamber music in this way, and given the quality and musicianship of the performances we heard, I think it is safe to say we are well on our way on the road to recovery”.

Head of Instrumental Studies Mr Paul Smith who leads Chamber Music at Alleyn's was equally thrilled with the event, "It was a terrific concert featuring students from every year group of the school. There were String trios by Bruni and Dohnanyi, Piano Trios by Klengel, Bridge, Robert and Clara Schumann, and Brahms, and Piano Quartets by Mozart and Brahms as well as Mozart Serenade for Wind Quintet. Great, sublime music played by some of our most talented musicians, this was a wonderful occasion which was clearly enjoyed immensely by a deeply enthusiastic audience. After an enforced break it was great to be back in such fine style"!

At Alleyn’s, there are currently well over a hundred students involved in regular chamber music rehearsals including strings, piano, wind and brass instruments. The essence of chamber music is that every player has their own individual part, each part contributing to the whole in an active and reactive way. Chamber music develops a wealth of musical, social and personal skills, which hopefully feed positively through to the orchestras, bands and choirs who rehearse and perform throughout the year within this busy and vibrant music department.

At the end of the concert, it was announced that Mr Paul Smith would be retiring after 26 years.

Mr Dearmer thanked Mr Smith, saying, ”It was significant as our tenth visit to the prestigious Blackheath Halls. But most of all it was significant as the 26th and final year in which the inimitable Paul Smith will have been at the helm of our incredible chamber music programme. Anyone who knows Paul knows that he is an extraordinary musician of the highest calibre, a passionate educator, and an all-round kind, generous and good-humoured individual. Countless pupils have benefitted over the many years from their work with Paul, and for that both they and we are enormously grateful. Thank you, Paul!”

Fortunately, he will not be disappearing completely as his piano pupils will continue to receive lessons from him as Visiting Music Teacher.  The performers and members of the Music Department recognised Mr Smith’s enormous contributions to school music and presented him with a bouquet of flowers.