On Tuesday, we held our first formal concert of the academic year in the Arundel Centre. This concert formed part of the Year 11 GCSE Music group’s performance examination, with each candidate performing a solo piece on their main instrument. With an impressive total of 28 students, it was set to be a very special event indeed!
The concert began with a flawless and mesmerising performance of Handel’s Where’er you walk sung by Bela R, followed by two more Baroque pieces: Telemann’s Vivace, beautifully played on the violin by Alexa L-B, and Scarlatti’s Sonata in A, performed on the piano by Amber J.
Next, Anna R-B gave a stunning rendition of the famous slow movement of Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto. This was followed by Bella A’s expressive interpretation of a well-known Chopin Nocturne. Jessica L then brought a light-hearted touch with Dvorak’s witty Humoresque on the violin, while Emily G’s touching performance of Tchaikovsky’s Douce Reverie on the piano followed.
Sticking with piano performances, Tabitha W played Moszkowski’s Calm du Soir, and Kira S mesmerised the audience with Granada from Albeniz’s Spanish Suite. The mood shifted with Flora G’s superb rendition of Squire’s Danse Rustique on the cello, contrasting beautifully with Bella K’s soothing vocal performance of Vaughan-Williams’ Silent Noon.
The concert continued with Eleanor R’s beautiful trombone interpretation of Summertime, and Beatrice McN’s rendition of the classic Dream a Little Dream of Me. Tal M then delighted us with a charming arrangement of My Funny Valentine on the piano, followed by two engaging miniatures by Hartmann, performed with poise by Yutao W.
With the programme now moving into the 20th century, the remaining performances, bar one, were vocal. Juliet B sang a gorgeous version of Cry Me a River, followed by Winnie D’s stunning rendition of Tonight from West Side Story. Emily S gave a lovely performance of Love Look Away, while Amara P hypnotised the audience with Losing My Mind. Delilah B’s stylish performance of All That Jazz and Ellie W’s There Are Worse Things I Could Do from Grease reminded us of last year’s production.
The Abba classic Slipping Through My Fingers was sung convincingly by Estelle B, followed by Chloe L’s beautiful rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables. Nadia Z’s haunting performance of How Could I Ever Know from The Secret Garden was stunning, and Allegra L spiced things up with a brilliant electric guitar performance of Radiohead’s Just.
The concert closed with two songs from Waitress: Stevie B’s mesmerising performance of When He Sees Me and Martha R’s heartrending rendition of She Used to Be Mine. Finally, Maya C brought the evening to a close with That Would Be Enough from Hamilton.
The audience, filled with parents, friends, and siblings, gave rapturous applause as all the performers gathered on stage for a final bow.