The Christmas Concert at the Senior School took place on Wednesday. Though it was an early start for the Christmas celebrations, it certainly got everyone in the festive spirit! The opening music of the concert was from King’s Brass. The solemn but beautiful sounds of Henry Purcell’s Anthem from the Music for Queen Mary II, was followed by two Christmas pieces which brought the spirit of Christmas to the fore. The School Orchestra’s performance of two movements from Bizet’s ‘L’Arlesienne Suite No.1’ showed some confident and strong playing from all areas of the orchestra bringing out the character of the Prelude, which contrasted so well with the beautiful Alto saxophone solo from Alex S (U5). The bells of the ‘Carillon’, the second movement, rang out splendidly from the French horns and brought the work to a fine conclusion.
Mr Vinall’s two bands, the Wind Band and Jazz Band, brought wind, brass and percussion together in some brilliant performances showing the real strength of these groups. Quality music always brings quality performances, and this was clearly shown in the performances of excerpts from ‘The Firebird’ by Stravinsky by the Wind Band. What a great piece that is! Bobby L’s (U6) solo in the Valdres Concert March showed confident and stylish playing. The Jazz Band, playing after the interval, brought spirited and exuberant playing to the fore which superb solos from Alex S (U5) and the one and only Mr Johnson , with great interaction between those two players. The final performance of the evening was of the ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’ by Vaughan Williams. Mr Charles was the baritone soloist in this. He had sung this piece with Mr Kerrison conducting at The King’s School, Peterborough, some 30 years ago, where they both worked, so that it was quite a nostalgic evening for them. The school choir rose to the occasion in some challenging music with its many twists and turns of time-signatures and the interplay between the parts. The final sublime last few bars were beautifully sung, and Isla M’s (U5) beautiful cello part and the piano accompaniment played by Miss Roux were stunningly performed throughout.
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