News Summer Concert 2024 05.07.2024

On Wednesday, our instrumental ensembles and choirs gave a truly splendid Summer Concert in the Bishop Centre.

The evening began with the Symphony Orchestra giving a bombastic performance of Bernstein’s Magnificent Seven theme, followed by a Harry Potter medley that sent the spirits soaring. The String Ensemble gave a really stylish performance of Pachelbel’s Canon, followed by a beautifully lyrical rendition of Ravel’s Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn. Our Philharmonia came next, and a bright performance of Vivaldi’s ‘Spring’ from the Four Seasons was contrasted with a really evocative interpretation of ‘Memory’ from Cats. The Percussion Ensemble impressed, as always, with Mr Neville’s specially composed I Like Going Out To See A Concert, and the Year 10 Quartet, who have performed so regularly this year, played Jacob Gade’s Jealousy with real insight and nuance.

The choirs followed, beginning with Senior Chamber Choir who sang Todd’s Gloria in Excelsis with real energy; they will be singing this again in an evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral in September! This was contrasted with a beautifully tranquil and lyrical rendition of Chilcott’s The Swallow, which really moved our packed audience. The Year 8 and 9 Choir (which seemingly grows in number with every concert!) performed Sarah Quartel’s meditative After the Rain before a truly buoyant and energised performance of ‘Spirit’ from The Lion King (2019). Next, the Year 7 Choir performed Jason Robert Brown’s challenging A Little More Homework with real spirit and joy – there wasn’t a foot amongst the audience that wasn’t tapping! Finally, the entirety of Year 7 (numbering 120 pupils) came together to conclude the concert with a heartfelt performance of Moana’s How Far I’ll Go, to provide a really joyful conclusion to a spectacular concert. Bravo to all 230 performers!