On Wednesday, we proudly showcased our broad and exciting music curriculum at our annual Autumn Concert, marvellously performed by Years 3 – 6. A huge congratulations to all of the girls involved – it was truly a night to remember!
The concert opened with our highly skilled Orchestra playing Palladio by Karl Jenkins. It was amazing to see how the girls worked together to create suspense and build up the layers of this dramatic piece. With their laser focus and precise playing, they delivered a fantastic performance.
Next, Year 5 took to the stage with a lively ukulele rendition of Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off. The girls performed with great ensemble and energy. Coordination was key in this multi-tasking challenge: each girl had to ensure her fingers were in the right place, her other hand was strumming to the beat, and she was singing at the same time. Impressive is an understatement!
Year 3 and 4 Chamber Choir continued the concert with two contrasting and expressive songs. First, we heard an angelic rendition of Moon River, followed by the pop-rock anthem This Is Me from Camp Rock. What a transformation between the two pieces! I was so impressed by how the girls conveyed intentional expression and kept the audience engaged.
Year 6 then transported us to Trinidad and Tobago with music on the steel pans. The girls have loved learning this new instrument and its cultural history, and that joy shone through in their careful, accurate playing. Their performance brought smiles to the audience’s faces.
Following this, the Year 5 and 6 Chamber Choir sang in perfect harmony, creating a beautiful sound in their lyrical pieces Wild Mountain Thyme and I See the Light. A fantastic example of what can be achieved as our pupils grow as singers throughout the school.
Year 3 then presented a vibrant orchestra of boomwhackers and percussion, performing Grieg’s Hall of the Mountain King. Their phenomenal teamwork produced an exciting and enthusiastic performance that was infectious to the audience.
We were then treated to calm, carefully executed music from Year 4 on the xylophones. They performed a three-part arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon, centred around layering ostinatos. Very impressive playing and coordination!
The penultimate item featured our highly esteemed string group, led by the fantastic Vanessa Smith on violin. They delivered an impressive version of the winter classic Carol of the Bells, truly showcasing our highest-performing string players.
To conclude the concert, all pupils came together as a massed choir for three contrasting and exciting pieces. First was the epic choral classic O Fortuna, where the girls brought real drama! This was followed by the beautiful ballad Somewhere Only We Know by Keane, which certainly brought a tear to the eye. Finally, they sang Unwritten, an empowering anthem about taking hold of your own destiny – leaving the audience inspired and beaming with pride.
I am so proud of what the girls achieved in this concert. My main takeaway was the incredible teamwork evident in every moment. A huge well done to everyone in our school community who made this concert happen, and heartfelt thanks to the extensive team of staff working behind the scenes. Bravo!
Miss Houlder, Director of Music
