The Senior School Summer Concert, taking place in the beautiful Rochester Cathedral, was a superb celebration of another successful year of ensemble and individual music-making at King’s. Miss Roux’s Senior Orchestra launched the programme with Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4, a perennial favourite of summer proms concerts all over the country and an appropriately buoyant and proud start to the evening. Then followed two excellent solo performances from Ludo (U6W) and Shiv (U6W), both pupils finishing their final year and soon to be moving on from King’s. Ludo’s rendition of Elton John’s “Your Song” was heartfelt and stylish, accompanied by an original arrangement by Miss Roux for string quintet. Shiv’s solo was entitled “The Void” – his own composition – and featured Shiv impressively singing and accompanying himself at the piano in this very moving piece. Directed by Mrs Boden, King’s Brass filled the Cathedral with its warm sound, presenting three varied items. Bryer (U6S) performed “They Just Keep Moving the Line”, the electrifying showstopper from the musical drama series Smash. The first half of the programme was then brought to a close with two movements of Bach’s stunning Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, with Charlie (U5C) and his teacher Julian Milone playing the two solo parts. The accomplished performance matched the composition in beauty – a real treat.
The items of the second half extended the same outstanding quality, starting with Selena (U6S) and Miss Roux singing the gorgeous farewell duet “For Good”, from the show Wicked. Senior Wind Band, directed by Mr Sinclair-Strong, played three items, a lovely, light-hearted collection from twentieth-century stage and screen. Our final soloist of the evening was John (U6P), whose characterisation of “I love Betsy” from Honeymoon in Vegas was captivating and highlighted his versatility as a talented singer across different styles. John then invited Selena back to the stage to sing “Suddenly Seymour” from The Little Shop of Horrors in a special, unprogrammed encore. The Senior Choir sang brilliantly in four movements of choral classic “Gloria” by Vivaldi, with a first-rate accompanying orchestra of strings and the Cathedral organ. The singers were then joined by other members of the cast of the Senior production Les Misérables to close proceedings with a reunion performance of “One Day More”.
In addition to Ludo, Shiv, Bryer, Charlie, Selena and John, this concert was also the last time Chester and Imogen will perform in a King’s event as pupils of the school. The Music Department would like to thank our leavers for their contributions over the years. We also wish to congratulate all the performers for their part in making this concert so special, one which will leave behind lasting memories.
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