St Mary's Calne
This year's Autumn Concert brought the festive magic of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker to St Mary’s, highlighting the phenomenal work that our instrumentalists do throughout the year as well as bringing a fantastic opportunity for a collaboration with pupils of St Margaret’s.
Upon arrival, parents and friends were treated to delicious fruit mince pies and refreshments served in the festively adorned School Reception before being seated in the Chapel amongst a wash of sparkling fairy lights and jaunty nutcracker decorations.
We were transported to a magical realm with absolutely stunning performances from Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Strictly Strings, String Quartet, LIV (Year 7) Choir alongside Junior Consort and the Chamber Choir of St Margaret’s, Piano 4 Hands and Percussion Ensemble.
Featuring music from the ballet, our orchestral students really shone as they attacked Tchaikovsky’s original score with enthusiasm, talent, and cheerfulness. Concert Band tackled Duke Ellington’s arrangement of Tootie Toot Tootie Toot while Percussion Ensemble wowed everyone with their magnificent performance of Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy.
We were delighted to welcome the St Margaret's Chamber Choir to join with the LIV Choir and Junior Consort to perform In Our Service in memoriam of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The powerful anthem was composed by Thomas Hewitt Jones for the Queen's Elizabeth's Platinum Jubille celebrations and featured lyrics drawn from speeches made by the late Queen during her lifetime.
A rousing rendition of No. 8 A Pine Forest in Winter by the Symphony Orchestra bought the concert to a beautiful finish, with the closing remarks explaining that the musicians had played the same version of this piece as would be played by a professional symphony orchestra - an impressive achievement indeed!
The night was a truly festive celebration of the talent and versatility of the musicians of St Mary's Calne, and we are, as always, tremendously grateful to all the students, staff and parents who gave their time to attend and work for the concert.
Miss Marie-Claire Arthur, Director of Music