Starting the Lent term on a real high, the Music Department had the pleasure of welcoming and entertaining a very attentive and appreciative audience at this year’s Winter Concert.
Showcasing our pupils’ commitment, hard work, and high musical standards, the programme featured a diverse and dynamic range of pieces in a variety of exciting genres.
The Prelude from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ first film score, 49th Parallel, opened the concert with its soaring string lines and grand sense of reverence, complemented by two joyous marches – Hector Berlioz’s Hungarian March and Johann Strauss II’ well-loved Radetzky March, both bustling with rhythmic fervour and colourful orchestration.
Saying our last goodbyes to the festive season behind us, the String Group performed a lively arrangement of Jingle Bell Rock, contrasted by an arrangement of Dua Lipa’s hit song Levitating.
The Soul Band, an all-new ensemble for this year, made their debut at the Winter Concert and got the audience tapping their feet along to Hayes and Porter’s Hold On, Stevie Wonder’s funk hit Superstition, and Duffy and Steve Booker’s Mercy.
Ending things with a bang, the Big Band performed two very different Nat Adderley tunes with an electrifying dose of energy. The straight-ahead swing of Work Song was complemented perfectly by the groovy, rhythmic drive of Sweet Emma.
Congratulations to all our performers on an amazing start to term.
