CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2008

On the 11th December Grenville held its family Christmas concert. A festive celebration of orchestral, choral and solo music both sacred and secular, together with the opportunity for audience participation. This year proved to be exceptional in terms of the quality of singing from the school choir and the audience. The evening was further enhanced by a visit from Father Christmas and his beautiful fairies who gave presents out to the youngest and oldest members of the audience. The Orchestra performed "Divertimento" by Haydn,"Winter from the Four Seasons" by Vivaldi and "Pirates of Penzance" by Gilbert & Sullivan as well as accompanying the songs and carols. Vocal soloists were Melissa Taylor, Bethan Waters, Megan Kerby, Cara Nichols, Nicolle Hockin and Emma Summerfield. Freyja Hedinsson delighted the audience with a clarinet solo as did Christina Tang on piano, Mark Tang on violin and Ryan Waters who performed a trumpet duet with his teacher Bert Partin.

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SCROOGE THE MUSICAL
Dec 2008

A wonderful drama production to bring to a close a very productive Autumn term. Twenty four actors, actresses and singers directed by Michele Borsten took to the stage for this very moving piece of musical theatre. They were magnificently supported by Tony White and his musicians as well as Matt White and his technical crew plus Steve Puttick and his maintenance team. The cast worked very hard to delight their audiences with four performances to local Junior schools, parents and friends. Please click on the link below to view some of the scenes from the play, find out who took part and read the director's notes.

Click here for: Scrooge Dec 2008 Photo Gallery

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ABORIGINAL MYTHS GO ON TOUR
Nov 2008

This term our A-Level Drama & Theatre students have successfully taken their TIE production of "Tinnaboo's Stories" based on Aboriginal myths and their belief system on a tour of local junior schools.The performances have been preceded by very rewarding "making" and drama workshops for the young pupil audiences. Their final performance was at our own Grenville Junior School on November 24th. The very talented students who took part were Rachel Wingate, Melissa Taylor and Katie Wilton.

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NORTH DEVON PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
Nov 2008

This year Grenville College was host to all the music and drama events for this showcase of North Devon's talent. The dance performances took place at Edgehill College just across the valley, soon to be merged with Grenville to become KINGSLEY SCHOOL. Both schools take great pride in encouraging their students to participate in a wide variety of activities, including all aspects of the "arts". CONGRATULATIONS go to ALL those who took part, musicians, singers, actors, poets and dancers, some of whom can be seen here showing off their awards.

Seven students from Grenville College and the Grenville Junior Choir were chosen to take part in the Gala Concert to be held in the College Assembly Hall on Saturday 13th December 2008. The students who will be performing their award winning pieces are:

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS GO TO:
Christian Tang - 2nd in the Young Musician of The Year competition, Bethan Waters - 3rd in the Young Musician of The Year competition, Natalie Stowell - Young Singer Trophy for most promising voice 12 years & under and Jed Kerby & Lydia Clements - Festival Cup for highest mark in a duet.

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"WAR HORSE" LONDON'S NATIONAL THEATRE
Nov 2008

Students from Years 7 to 11 really enjoyed their trip to "Warhorse". It was an amazing production with horses being represented by incredibly realistic puppets. It was also very emotional, moving many students, and members of staff to tears! For a number of the younger pupils this was their first trip to London so they were excited to see The Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.

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ARROMANCHES VISITORS - Sept 2008

Students from Grenville College were invited by Instow Twinning Association to provide the welcoming entertainment for thirty three visitors from Arromanches in France and their English hosts. Cara Nichols, Nicholle Hockin, Christina Tang and Bethan Waters performed a mixture of classical and popular pieces in song and on violin which was much enjoyed as a special start to a busy weekend of activities.

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SUMMER CABARET - July 2008

In contrast to the more formal atmosphere of the Summer Musical Evening, the Cabaret is a chance for students, staff and parents to enjoy an end of term party filled with fun, laughter and talent. This years theme was "Beach Party" and with the audience dressed in boardies and sun glasses the evening went with a real swing. Below is just a sample of pictures from a fantastic night of entertainment.

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SUMMER MUSICAL EVENING - June 2008

A chance for those who were leaving at the end of term to showcase their talents and to share a final performance with younger friends. The Orchestra and Choir performed along with a mixture of solo vocal and instrumental pieces.These included:Vocal Solo - Once Upon A Dream Bricusse/Wildhorn performed by Nicolle Hockin, Saxophone Solo - Fantasiestucke Robert Schumann performed by Rebekah Locke, Vocal Solo - Somewhere Leonard Bernstein performed by James Manners, Piano Solo - Nocturne in Eb Frederic Chopin performed by Mark Tang, Vocal Solo - Canto Della Terra Sartori/Quarantotto performed by Hannah Standford, Arrangement for String Quartet - Sound Of Silence Simon/Garfunkel arranged by James Myers, Piano Solo - Puppets Dance Bohuslav Martinu performed by Joanna Lock, Violin Solo - Meditation Jules Massenet performed by Mark Tang and Solo & Orchestra - Con Te Partiro Sartori/Quarantotto with soloist Bethan Waters.

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DRAMA IN PLYMOUTH - June 2008

The entire cast and accompanying band of "The Book of Everything" packed all their costumes, props (including the talking fish) and instruments into a coach on 27th June and travelled to the Drum Theatre in Plymouth, as guests of the National Theatre Connections Programme. The morning was spent attending specialist Drama Workshops and was followed by rehearsals and an evening performance in front of a packed and enthralled audience. The students were praised by the Theatre Royal's permanent staff for their enthusiasm and professionalism.

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SPRING CONCERT DELIGHT - March 2008

Parents and friends were treated to an evening of exceptionally high quality vocal, orchestral and solo music from Grenville's talented students. The programme began with the Orchestra and "Every Valley" by Handel, and concluded with the Full Choir singing "As Long As I Have Music" by Besig/Price. Vocal, cello, piano, and saxophone solos culminated in a magnificent rendition of "Spring" from "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi performed by Mark Tang (Leader of the Orchestra).

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DRAMA PRODUCTION HAS AUDIENCE SPELLBOUND - March 2008

The Grenville production of The National Theatre "new connections" THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING by Peter Tabern captured the imagination of audiences on the 13th and 14th of March. The young cast produced performances of great maturity, sensitivity and dramatic expertise for this serious, yet sometimes funny play. They are looking forward to taking their roles to the Theatre Royal in Plymouth on Friday 27th June 2008.

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VALENTINE CHALLENGE RAISES OVER £3,000 FOR CHILDREN'S HOSPICE

February 14th 2008 saw the whole of Year 9 united in enthusiasm, commitment and fun to raise money for Children's Hospice South West. The challenge they faced was to write a valentine song, which had to include certain specified lyrics. To justify their sponsorship, they then had to perform their song to family and friends in a special evening concert. The result was a night filled with song, electric guitars, drums, keyboards, pianos and the appreciation that so much could be achieved by our talented youngsters in one day.

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GRENVILLE COLLEGE MAKES NEW CONNECTIONS

Grenville College Youth Theatre Company is taking part in NEW CONNECTIONS, one of the world's largest celebrations of youth theatre. Produced by the NATIONAL THEATRE, the organisation commissions new plays for and about young people from some of the best contemporary playwrights, for performing by schools and youth theatres from all over the UK and Ireland, both in their home venues and at regonal partnership theatres. In 2007 Grenville students were chosen to perform YEAR AND A DAY by Christina Reid at the BRISTOL OLD VIC.
This year Michele Borsten, Head of Drama at Grenville College has chosen THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING by Peter Tabern from the ten plays on offer. Grenville students will be performing the play on 13th and 14th March at the College, then at a regional showcase at the THEATRE ROYAL, PLYMOUTH, on the 27th June 2008.

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BLOOD BROTHERS FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE

On December 3rd and 4th 2007 Grenville students performed this musical classic by Willy Russell to large and very appreciative audiences. The nature vs. nurture tale revolves around twins separated at birth, taking them to opposite ends of the social spectrum and leads to a tragic conclusion.
In order to make the production their own a traverse stage was built, allowing the audience to see the action from different points of view. The central role of the twins, Eddie and Mickie and of Linda was passed on between cast members to mark their rite of passage from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood.
Connor MacGillivray and Ryan Ashton played Eddie & Mickey at 7, then passed the roles on to Tom Vinall and Ali Quinton-Tulloch at the age of 14 who finally passed the roles on to Jeremy Manning and James Manners at the age of 18. Similarly Gemma Donovan took over the role of Linda from Chloe Marsden at the age of 15.

Hannah Standford as Mrs. Johnstone and Emily Hyam as Mrs.Lyons are to be congratulated on superb vocal and dramatic performances.
Michele Borsten (Head of Drama) and Tony White (Head of Music) were very proud of the work, effort and commitment shown by all the cast, band, technical crew and helpers who made the production such a success.

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GRENVILLE STUDENTS CHOSEN FOR NORTH DEVON GALA CONCERT

Congratulations go to all of the 19 Junior School children and 38 Senior School students who took part in the North Devon Performing Arts Festival during November 2007. Nine students from Grenville College were chosen to take part in the Gala Concert to be held in the Grenville College assembly Hall on Saturday 15th December 2007. The students who will be performing their award winning pieces are:

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS GO TO:
Mark Tang - 2nd in the Young Musician of The Year competition, Christina Tang - 3rd in the Young Musician of The Year competition and Emily Hyam who won the Festival Shield for the Highest Mark in Speech and Drama.