The "Proms" concert took place on 17th June and the evening started with strawberries and Pimms on the Headmaster's Lawn.  The Brass Consort got the concert underway with "American President" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Following a moving rendition of "Will you still love me tomorrow?" by the Lizards, in which Elfrieda Kormawa gave her final vocal performance as she leaves the Sixth Form, the Year 7's (pictured) sang a vocal medley.

 

A talented group of Year 7 musicians performed an improvised piece entitled "Arriba".

One of the highlights of the evening was a solo performance by our violin teacher, Miss Victoria, who performed "Paganini Variations" unaccompanied, to rapturous applause.

 

The Proms part of the evening commenced with our comperes, Mr Dorey and Ms Bicheno, donning suitably patriotic attire!

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Dorey is pictured here "instructing" the audience in the art of enthusiastic participation.

 

 

 

 

 

The orchestra performed "The Great Escape", "Jupiter" (with audience participation), "Sailor's Hornpipe".  Mr Keeling is pictured below conducting the Symphony Orchestra for the final time.  "Rule Britannia", with verses sung by Rebecca Knight and Andrew Vale-Talor, "Land of Hope and Glory" and the "1812 Overture" almost brought the evening to a close.

Mr Keeling had been keen to have real cannons fired during the overture but the Bursar's warning of Health & Safety regulations persuaded him to settle for recorded cannon fire instead and that along with party poppers and blowers proved very effective!

 

 

 

At the end of the concert, Natasha Fitzgerald, our Head Girl and first violin, paid tribute to Mr Keeling on behalf of the students, and thanked him for all he has done for the musical life of the School.  Mr Keeling loves jokes and was presented with a joke book signed by all the members of the orchestra.   The evening ended with a surprise performance by Mr Briggs, Rosa Wong and Timothy Ellis who performed "The Secret" by Leonard Gautier, a piano piece for six hands - it was a virtuoso performance by the trio and a fitting end to a thoroughly entertaining evening.