Classical Guitar Concert
Woodstock staff and students gave an enthusiastic reception on Wednesday, April 14th to Mr. Adam Khan, a classical guitarist based in Wales, UK. Parker Hall was crowded as Adam presented a fascinating selection of largely SPanish and Latin-American pieces. Prominent among these were three delightful compositions by Leo Brouwer of Cuba, with whom Adam has studied. Many of the students were fascinated by the fact that a section of "Cuban landscape with bells" was described by the composer as a "homage to Eddie Van Halen" (icon of heavy metal guitarists!)

Adam Khan was born in 1974, and gave his first recital at the age of 15. He has studied and worked extensively outside the United Kingdom, including in Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy and the USA. Adam's debut CD was released in October 2003. You can find out more on his website www.adam-khan.co.uk. (Pete Wildman - Staff)

[top]

Philadelphia, Here I Come! - Review
From the sounds coming out of Parker Hall on April 2nd, a passerby might have wondered if Riverdance had come to Woodstock. After all, it isn’t often that the up-tempo lilts of an Irish jig come flooding down the hillside. The source of the music, however, had more local roots – namely a colorful production of the play Philadelphia, Here I Come! by Brian Friel, staged by the High School during Woodstock’s spring Drama Weekend.

Set in the fictional but archetypal Irish town of Ballybeg, Philadelphia, Here I Come! follows twenty-something Gareth “Gar” O’Donnell through his last night at home before emigrating to America. Gar’s sentiments about the approaching changes in his life are revealed through a dual perspective – Grade 10 student Tom Jeffery captured the audience with Gar’s down-to-earth public persona while Grade 11 student Rohan Podder lit up the stage as Gar’s turbulent inner voice. The two carried the play through flashbacks and final confrontations which exposed Gar’s mixed emotions about the people he will leave behind and most notably, his unresolved relationship with his father. The production offered moments of both comedy and drama with no small help from the rest of the cast, including Da Young Chung (the curmudgeonly, furtively loving housemaid and mother-figure), Harmeet Hans (Gar’s impervious father), and Sharone Daniel (a melodramatic relation). The ensemble as a whole successfully brought the entire performance to life.

Though the hard work of the actors was apparent onstage, there were significant contributions in the wings, as well. The play incorporated a multitude of students who manned costumes, make-up, publicity, ushering, assistant direction and AV effects. The stage crew worked tirelessly as ever during the show, and an impressive set was created by a construction crew of 19. The entire production came together through the unflagging efforts of High School English teacher and drama director Mr. Chris Rogers, who continues to bring challenging and thought-provoking pieces to the Woodstock stage. A huge ovation is due to all who worked on the play and made Philadelphia, Here I Come! another memorable performance. (Kaitlin Steele - Staff)

[top]

Grade 5 & 6 RE Retreat
This year’s retreat fell near the end of the quarter, which was both good and bad: good, becase it was nice to relax and enjoy ourselves with only a few days work to go before a break; bad because staff and students were pretty tired! However, as everyone assembled on New Road, tiredness was forgotten. A convoy of buses and taxis ferried the 46 students and seven staff to the Torchbearers Trust centre in Rajpur, and amidst the greenery and marble halls we soon relaxed. “Uncle” Sam Mall, parent, was our speaker, and he looked with us at what made people really great. Apart from the talks, there was singing, discussion groups, craft activities and plenty of free time. On Saturday afternoon we all visited the Moravian Institute to play with their children, and Saturday night was devoted to fun all the way, with “indoor Olympics”, craft competitions and a talent show. Altogether a great weekend. (Pete Wildman - Staff)

[top]

Woodstock's Celebration Concert - Justin McCarthy
An enthusiastic audience of Woodstock staff, students and Board members, together with guests from St. George’s School and Oak Grove School, last Saturday enjoyed a high-quality classical piano concert with performer Justin McCarthy. The concert featured works by Hayden, Mozart and Bach. The performance was truly exceptional as Mr. McCarthy played with technical superiority and emotional depth. The beautiful setting was Woodstock’s Media Center, which is both intimate and richly decorated with dark wood interior paneling.

Justin McCarthy studied at the University of Michigan and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He resides in India and has played extensively in solo and duo performances both in India and in Europe. In the duo format he has played with singers, violinists and cellists from England, France, Germany, Holland and India. This concert was one of the first of a range of events planned throughout 2004 in celebration of Woodstock’s 150th anniversary. (Natalie Bates, Pete Wildman - Staff)

[top]

Elementary Sports Day - Everyone's a Winner
With stomachs in their mouths and nerves jingling the children of the Elementary School made their way down to Hanson Field on Saturday morning for their annual sports day. As one of the most popular dates in the calendar no one minded getting out of bed early to attend and the mass of digital cameras were charged and ready for the day.

The races began in earnest at 8.30 with the youngest going first. Video cameras were closely trained on each child as ECP made their way round the challenging obstacle course. Murry Linderman was the first winner of the day but by the looks on the children’s faces everyone enjoyed the experience.

There was no let up in the events and as soon as children had found their seat, after competing, they were off again. From 50 meter dashes to lemon and spoon races, everyone gave of their best and by the end of the day every child had picked up at least one medal for their efforts.

In the ECP 25 meter dash the children were clearly not satisfied with just 25m and after running through the tape continued on their way to complete the longer course. Clearly these children do not know when to give up.

The races were eventually concluded by a parent’s sack race (which included a pregnant lady) and a pre-ECP ‘not so fast’ dash. The time had come for the final scores to be announced and everyone applauded the efforts of the winning Eagle team. As the sun continued to shine down, the weary athletes and supporters made their way to share a lunch together in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Alteridge Dining room. Well done to everyone. (Richard Reid - Staff)

[top]

Talent Show - The 2004 Grammy Awards Show
The 2004 Woodstock talent show was based on the Grammy awards, making the most of the tortured tributes and rivalrous angst associated with the famous recipients. For instance, our own Eminem (Trevor Langston) thanked his often-incapacitated mother and absent father, and then like many stars found himself in a brawl with fellow nominees. Mr. Johnston and Sharone Daniel were the evening’s hosts, shining at all times, especially their buffer pieces for the inevitable delays. The real wannabees, actually doing acts, emerged onto the curved apron of Parker Hall stage by way of two tunnels, blocked at the end with a piece of dark fabric. Our reporter took a walk back stage and marveled at the tension in the tunnels, more akin to big soccer fixtures in the premier league. The new spotlight was in full operation, chasing the stars round the stage, strobing and coloring as the need arose and mood dictated. Eastern and further eastern dancing marked the content, along with soulful and raucous singing, and a touch of drama, - and, of course, Pranav’s poetry. The big specials at the end were a fitting conclusion to the 210 minute extravaganza. The whirling newspaper cover stories depicted each and every member of the junior year, thrust on to the data projector with professional style. Mr. Johnston skillfully rattled through eighty tributes to Notorious, as one recipient after another joined the growing columns of their year 12 group. Each bore a ‘blued’ torch which lent a starry note to the final curtain. Mr. J, exhausted from the verbal acrobatics of the senior surprise, settled into a thoroughly Southern drawl, bidding us safe homeward travel and expressing much appreciation for all concerned. ( John Montgomery - Staff)

[top]

Big Brother Big Sister Day
"On a warm Friday evening, March 12th, high school and elementary school joined forces in the Quad to make as much noise and win as many prizes as possible. The occasion for the fun and mayhem: Big Brother-Big Sister Day, a twice annual event when high school students get to play games without being thought ‘un-cool’ and elementary students get to enjoy the focused attention of an admired older student. NHS presidents Hminga Pachuau and Vasudha Jajoo paid special attention this semester to achieving a heightened level of organization. In contrast to previous years, the elementary school students were outfitted with name tags and every younger student was successfully matched with a big brother/sister…thankfully none were left to wander bereft of an adopted older sibling, without anyone to buy them food from the tuck shop.

The theme for the night was Cartoon Network. The Quad was bedecked with balloons and glittery posters of favorite shows; NHS members wandered around dressed as the Power Puff Girls, Dexter, even Neo from the Ani-Matrix. After dinner, there was a swift progression of games to keep everyone busy, moving, and also hungry - the tuck shop became increasingly popular. The best-loved games appeared to be a team treasure hunt and 'The Newspaper Game', in which big brothers/sisters and their young friends had to try and balance on a piece of newspaper that got progressively smaller. The end results were a series piggy-backs, high school boys standing with an elementary student under each arm, and several balancing acts worthy of Cirque du Soleil.

Other highlights of the evening included copious amounts of ice cream and a dance competition, in keeping with Big Brother-Big Sister Day tradition. An opportunity to express creativity and dance skills, the competition this year was won by a group of boys with undeniable break-dancing talent.

The event was a great success, enjoyed by both high school students and the elementary school. One pair was photographed thirteen times, and Arjun M. and Jeremy S. bestowed the highest high school honor on their joint charge as they exclaimed, “Kautilya is the dude!” (Katie Henderson - Grade 12).

[top]

High School Retreat @ Hanifl
The Hanifl Centre was in ‘full swing’ for the High School Student Retreat on the week-end of 5-7th March 2004. There were 50 students in residence and half a dozen staff or so. The retreat featured hour long sessions of singing and Bible study, one on Friday night, two on Saturday morning, one on Saturday night and a final meeting on Sunday morning. In addition there were two half-hour periods of private reflection, two evening bonfires and all meals and snacks to cater for.

The Centre seemed ideal for this scenario. Whether by comparison with other places, or simple observation of a contented population, it was hard to deny the subtle contribution of the building and its surrounds to this bi-annual Woodstock event.

The meetings in the conference room were thoroughly convivial – the low ceiling, bright timber fittings and furnishings, and longs rows of seating lending an intimacy to the speaker- audience dynamic, enhanced by the proximity of projected computer data. The leader could be heard easily as was the case with floor contributions and incidental music from guitar or movie sound track. Was it the flooring, the seating or the lighting, but this was neither a sterile classroom nor a cavernous Media Centre-type auditorium – more like something found in a hotel conference facility – the architect’s intention one presumes.

At the break of a meeting a building is well tested for its form and function. In this circumstance, 70 people attended to their need to meditate, reflect, inquire, eat, drink, wash, (find relief) socialize or simply get fresh air. The anterooms and foyers of Hanifl seemed more than adequate for this array of requirements, and within an instant of the meeting concluding, the inmates had adopted new chosen positions, with unassuming ease.

The grounds of the Centre scored very high on the facilitation of social need, the ubiquitous student clique or solo contemplation. Minutes into the first required 30 minute reflection, at 10.15 am on Saturday, one was suddenly aware of bodies buried in study materials, perched in a myriad of ledges, nooks and crannies all over the building’s exterior. The lone, reflecting Woodstock student looks good against sandstone with a touch of morning sunshine adding to the spiritual aura.

Other casual breaks were marked by groups doing their thing, again, seated on low walls and ledges or hanging out with vague ‘studentish’ poise (leaning – is that it?). The elevated paths and terracing offer a superb opportunity to see, and be seen. A couple of boys took advantage of the small paved slope to display skateboarding skills, others made guitar music, and many snacked al fresco under the generous eaves of the ‘pointy’ roof.

The so-called campsite was another ideal facility. A ‘quintil’ of timber provided two evening bonfires in the flat forest clearing. Students sat round the embers for hours literally, either on the ground or on large timber beams. The short path rising from the rear of the Centre offers a sense of escape to another more rustic world, conveniently close to the modern world’s ample amenities.

The Hanifl Centre’s core calling was evident on two fronts. Chris Taylor ran an excellent orientation program in the potentially ‘flat spot’ of Saturday afternoon. Let’s face it, how can a Woodstocker punch in four hours free time without shopping? Strict rules and clear guidance offered a satisfying challenge to quartets of wandering students, setting off at five-minute intervals, but generally traversing and observing the surrounding Fairy Glen.

Then as light fell on the Saturday evening, and Golden’s butter chicken was being capped with ice cream and coffee, Chris announced that Saturn’s rings were visible through the in-house telescope. An excited, but orderly queue of twenty terrestrial bodies lined up to take their turn at the eye-piece. When a gap appeared, just before the digital camera owners started experimenting, yours truly took a squint at the alleged sighting. There it was – unbelievable, like a page from a Dorling Kindersley publication – the second of the great planets, ring and all.

Good old Hanifl Centre – a class act. Fed, content and awestruck, we retire to the conference room once more to sing to the Creator and learn, with some more conviction; of the wonders he has wrought. Was that the vision? (John Montgomery - Staff)

[top]