SOME of our most promising junior musicians thrilled a large audience at St Elphege’s Church on Wednesday evening this week. Our newly-formed Junior Wind Band, comprising students in year 7 who first began learning their instruments in September as part of the Instrumental programme, began the concert with a rousing rendition of John Willaims’ Raider’s March from the Indiana Jones films, and the famous theme tune for the 1963 film The Great Escape brought their performance to a triumphant close. It is amazing to consider the progress that these students have made over the course of only a few months. The brass ensemble performed a medley of 80s disco music, arranged by Mr Willey, who also directed the ensemble. The Junior String Ensemble delighted the audience with their rendition of the Andante from the Clock Symphony by Haydn, so called owing to the pizzicato ticking accompaniment, and the Year 10 choir performed The Girl from Ipanema, by Jobim, which they have learnt as an example of wider listening when studying their new set work as part of the GCSE Course. Samba Em Preludio was performed by Esperanza Spalding; the trebles performed You’ve Got A Friend in Me, a song by Randy Newman, which was made famous by its inclusion in the hit film Toy Story. The flute ensemble, directed by Ms Driver, performed a collection of movements from the score from the Harry Potter films, before a flute duo performed the challenging Tarantelle by Fauré. Finally, Cambiata, our choir of changing voices, directed by Mr Hann, performed We’re gonna be alright by Charlie Adams which introduces the audience to the different voices of the choir in turn. Finally, the concert was brought to a dramatic close with a rousing rendition of Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmate which ties together many traditional tunes in a whimsical fashion.

In his closing words, Mr Cole thanked all those who took part, including the older students who came back in order to support our younger students in the performance of the evening’s varied repertoire. Thanks too go to all those at St Elphege’s Church who kindly allowed us to use the venue for the concert.

More photos here