St Mary's Calne
It was wonderful to be able to welcome parents, family and supporters to the Chapel last Thursday for the annual Autumn Concert – the first for two years. With a programme of film music both classic and modern, performed by all the school’s ensembles, the concert promised the perfect antidote to a chilly November night!
The Symphony Orchestra began the proceedings, fittingly, with the 20th Century Fox Fanfare – less than half a minute of music familiar to film goers everywhere! There followed a diverse programme from a medley of themes from The Greatest Showman and a gentle a capella rendition of City of Stars from La La Land, to the rousing, toe-tapping theme from The Magnificent Seven by Elmer Bernstein and a trio of themes from the James Bond films, performed by the Big Band, String Sinfonia and the School Band.
Further highlights included the Moberly Instrumental Ensemble, which won their class in Company Music, a medley of songs from the Lion King with a massed choir of LIV and members of Chamber Choir and Khatchaturian’s Sabre Dance in an arrangement for percussion ensemble. Finally, the Chamber Choir closed the proceedings with the classic Hail Holy Queen from Sister Act.
Throughout the evening, solo instrumentalists Lily and Kate dazzled the audience with their performances of Czardas and Liszt’s Liebestraum, while singers Isabella, Lucy, Celestine and Elowen offered mellow acoustic takes on diverse songs by Cole Porter and Lady Gaga. UVI student Elan sang the Baroque classic Nulla in Mundo Pax Sincera, accompanied by a trio of staff instrumentalists. Showcasing the full range of musical talent in the school after more than 18 fallow months, the concert was a triumphant success. The only way now is up and we cannot wait to welcome everybody back for the Spring Concert next term.
If you missed this fantastic event, or you'd like to view it again, a video recording for parents on the Parent Portal can be found here.