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News 43rd anniversary of the orchestral exchange with Gelehrtenschule des Johanneums 23.02.2024

This week we celebrated the 43rd anniversary of our orchestral exchange with Gelehrtenschule des Johanneums and Latymer Upper.

After three days of intensive rehearsals, the combined symphony orchestras of Godolphin and Latymer, Latymer Upper, and the Johanneum (featuring 93 pupils!) gave a remarkable concert in the Bishop Centre. The pomposity of Schubert’s first Military March was followed by a beautifully serene performance of Grieg’s ‘Morgenstimmung’ (from Peer Gynt), in which the warmth of sound of the 60-strong string section was beautifully apparent. An energised and characterful performance of Doreen Carwithen’s Suffolk Suite was followed by evocative and lyrical renditions of Elgar’s Chanson de Matin and Chanson de Nuit. Following the drama and energy of Karl Jenkin’s ‘Palladio’ (featuring some wonderful wind flourishes), the concert concluded with the now-traditional Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

It was a sincere and real pleasure to host this remarkable event once again; to strengthen the ties between our three schools still further; and to see the blossoming of so many new friendships. We’re already looking forward to our trip to Hamburg in February 2026.