Prep Schools' Strings Day

'Pluck' plays Wellington

As a finale to the prep school strings day, comedy trio 'Pluck' gave a concert for the visiting children, and for our own 3rd form.  James Ellis (3L) writes below:

Going in to the show my hopes were not high as to the comic value of the piece that I was going to be watching, despite being told by my teachers how good it was.

As the show started I thought that my apprehensive thoughts had rung true with just the switching of instruments for comedy, but then my pre judgements were dispelled as it launched in to a full fledged musical comedy. I was greatly immpressed by the ability of the characters to move so fluently while still playing their instruments so well.

My highlights of the show where the well choreographed fray into the audience by the characters fixing on several of the prep school teachers in attraction, the rendition of 'Stand by me' which had great vocals and the good use of a young prep school girl to play the triangle.

The finale came with a great orchestral rendition of Jimmy Hendrix kiss the sky using the phrase "excuse me while i kiss this guy!" while kissing a man in the audience, the rendition also featured playing a violin with his teeth and then finally burning it in famous Hendrix style.

James Ellis (3L)

Wellington Prep Schools Strings Day, Friday 22 September 2006.

By James Allum, 8S, Eagle House School.

Last Friday, with the weather against us, the whole string orchestra set out from Eagle House for a day at Wellington College. We were joining other string musicians from four other schools to take part in workshops.

Everyone was divided into their own groups. For some reason Eagle House was the only school to bring some bass boys. Jake, Dede and David got the undivided attention of their bass teacher for the day.

Unfortunately no one in Eagle House made it into the first violins but the piece we played called 'Rag Time' was fairly hard, even for the seconds. Although my new friend and I kept losing track because it was so hard, we just played our best. The seconds spent most of the day being taught by Mrs Oakes (who also teaches me). The thirds (who played brilliantly) did very well to learn their new piece called 'Dashes and Dots' as well as the rag time piece. The seconds learnt to play 'Mustard and Cress' (the 'Cress' being in the minor key).

During some of our breaks from playing we visited the Great School and the Old Hall.
In the Great School we learnt about the Duke of Wellington and the Battle of Waterloo, 18th June 1815, and we saw the cape that he was wearing at the time of the battle. Also we saw a lot of doors with the names of the houses and dorms listing all those who died in both World Wars. In the Old Hall there were pictures of all the previous masters of Wellington College.

After all of this we went to see this comedy group called 'PLUCK' which we all admitted was the most hilarious thing we have ever seen. Although they hardly said a word they were even funnier than if they had talked.

By the time we had finished playing all of our music and seeing 'PLUCK', the clouds and rain disappeared and the sun, at last, came out.  Before and after the show we met quite a lot of old school friends.

When I leave Eagle House at the end of this year to go onto Wellington, I will be sad to leave behind a fabulous orchestra that I have been lucky enough to lead. I hope that I will be good enough to make the orchestra at Wellington. Although the day was tiring I enjoyed it thoroughly. If I ever have the chance to do this event again I would say 'yes please' because I made so many new friends. I would definitely recommend seeing PLUCK!