Spring Term Music Review

This term has been one of the busiest ever for the Music Department.

In addition to our regular schedule of termly events, in the first half of term the Chamber Choir performed at Gloucester Cathedral in January with singers from King’s Gloucester and Hereford Cathedral Choir. We also received the wonderful news that Upper Sixth Music Scholar, Alfred K has been offered an Organ Scholarship at Somerville College, Oxford. The Music and Drama Departments presented the Removes Musical, Godspell to great acclaim; a review can be found here.  During half term, the Choirs and Chamber Orchestra performed three concerts in Paris.

Above: King’s Chamber Choir in Gloucester Cathedral

Above: Alfred K, U6

There was no let up in the second half of term, with an invitation from The Elms School to perform at their Jazz and Swing Evening. The band brought the black-tie event to a close after performances by groups from Malvern College, Marlborough College and Shrewsbury School.

The Chamber Choir performed at the St Oswald Festival Eucharist in the Cathedral, singing a Mass by Haydn which featured a long and challenging solo in the Benedictus which was sung by Lower Sixth Music Scholar, Florence P.  Some members of the Lower Years Choir, together with singers from King’s St Alban’s, took part in a charity concert  in the Cathedral, raising money for Young Lives vs Cancer. They performed John Rutter’s Mass for Children, accompanied by a professional orchestra, with world-renowned baritone Roderick Williams alongside Old Vigornian Isabelle Palmer.

Above: Removes Musial, Godspell

The Open Mic night is always a very popular evening. This term the large audience of pupils, staff and parents enjoyed 25 performances from singers, guitarists and bands. Fingers crossed that, weather permitting, the Summer Term event can be held in the School Gardens.

The School Concert featured our larger ensembles, including performances by The King’s Swingers under the new direction of instrumental teacher, Mr Adlington.  Next term’s School Concert will feature music suitable for the date, May the Fourth…

Above: King’s Musicians on tour in Paris

On the penultimate day of term, the Chamber Choir was invited to perform at the Pet Blessing Service in the Cathedral.

Finally, there have been four concerts for soloists this term, culminating in the Cleobury Concert. The evening opened with the combined flute ensembles performing an arrangement of Over the Rainbow. That set the scene for an evening of mostly quieter, reflective solo performances and finished with some lighter madrigals performed by the Chamber Choir.