The Arts

What a fantastic evening of music-making! Our Lower 2 and Upper 2 Informal Concert was brilliantly well attended, with a wonderful audience response that made the occasion feel extra special. There was a real buzz in the room as pupils took to the stage to share their musical talents, showcasing a terrific variety of instruments, styles and songs. The piano was certainly kept busy, with performances ranging from the gentle, expressive sounds of Evening Melody by R Esmail to the playful character of The Cantankerous Camel by P Wedgewood and Mummies by P Blackwell. There were some wonderfully imaginative moments, too, with Minnie Mouse Hits the Town , Rufus and The Shakers bringing plenty of personality to the programme. From the elegance of Handel’s Fireworks Minuet to the jazzy rhythms of Ain’t Misbehavin’ and a rendition of Someone You Loved , our pianists demonstrated growing confidence, musical understanding and a real sense of enjoyment. The violin added another dimension to the concert with The Legend of Ashitaka by J Hisaishi, while our vocalists treated us to an exciting mix of songs. Powerful performances of This Is Me and Part of Your World sat alongside the much-loved Where Is Love from Oliver. There was plenty of contemporary sparkle, too, with Sunroof , Lush Life and This Is What It Sounds Like from K-Pop Demon Hunters. A special mention must also go to the duet performances, which showcased the fun of making music together and the importance of listening and working as a team. There were plenty of smiles along the way, from a piano rendition of Happy Birthday to the relaxed, sunny feel of Park Daze . Each performance brought something different, and it was lovely to see pupils developing the confidence to stand up in front of an audience and share something they had worked hard to prepare. Informal concerts are such an important part of musical life at Lower School. They give pupils the chance to celebrate their progress, learn from performing in front of others and, most importantly, enjoy making music. The enthusiastic applause and warm response from our audience showed just how much these performances were appreciated. A huge well done to everyone who took part. With such a happy atmosphere, an exciting range of music and so much musical confidence on display, it was a concert to remember!

The new Michaelmas Term got off to a fantastic musical start with our first Informal Concert, featuring a wonderful selection of performances from pupils in Upper 3. The concert showcased an impressive range of instruments and musical styles, with performances on piano, cello, guitar and French hunting horn, alongside some confident vocal performances. The programme took the audience on a real musical journey — from the instantly recognisable fun of Wallace and Gromit and The Muppets Theme, to the beautiful The Swan by Saint-Saëns and the atmospheric Sunrise by William Carroll. There was plenty of variety too, with a traditional take on Old McDonald , the lively Sparkling Splashes and Smooth Water , Burgmüller’s charming Petite Réunion and the much-loved Cavatina . The vocal performances brought their own energy and character, including songs by Stephen Sondheim and Bruno Mars. It was particularly lovely to see pupils sharing their music so confidently at the very beginning of a new school year. Informal Concerts provide a relaxed and supportive opportunity for young musicians to perform to an audience, build confidence and celebrate the progress they are making with their instruments and voices. Director of Music for the Lower School Mr Vine said 'a huge well done to everyone who performed. What a brilliant way to begin another term of music-making!' The next Informal Concert will be on Thursday 24 September featuring pupils from Lower 3.