Summer Concert

The sun shone and the music flowed.  In the perfect surroundings of the Elstree back garden (this year with the stage positioned judiciously in the shade) surrounded by the scent of roses and fanned by a gently wafting breeze this traditional summer event opened with the National  Anthem followed, by parental request, by the school song, ‘Clarior ex Obscuro’.

After this ceremonial start we were treated to a large selection of the various school ensembles.  The courtyard reverberated to the pipe band’s stirring rendition of ‘We will rock you’ casting a new light on this traditional instrument!  The string ensemble’s lush tones were perfect for the Harry Potter excerpt, and they then accompanied music exhibitioner Harry  in a trumpet voluntary.  Colin Green had written a bespoke arrangement of New York for Fraser  and the jazz band, and the orchestra played two movements of Holst’s Planets suite – Jupiter and Mars – in celebration of the centenary of tis first performance.  The Year 5 and 6 choir were impressive with their singing of Rhythm of Life in 3 parts, and then we all joined in clapping in ‘This is me’.

It is always lovely to hear new groups and the rousing  performance from the cello group reassured us that we have  good section of lower strings coming up though the school.  The string quartet were very impressive as they played through a movement from Eine kleine Nachtmusik, and the Percussion group really raised the roof (or would have done if there had been one!).

Victorious House Music winners, North reprised their ensemble piece and House song, and we finished the programme with tear-jerking songs  from the Year 8 Leavers. T heir final lyrics say it all:  ‘We’ll wish we could come back to these days, these days…’