6 July 2011
This year's Summer Concert was held in Abingdon's Amey Theatre on 6 July. It featured all our instrumental ensembles as well as choirs, year group and whole school singing, the staff choir and soloists. As always the auditorium was packed and there was an exciting atmosphere.
There was a rousing start to the programme with Jasper Perry (Y.6) parading through the auditorium and onto the stage playing Prince Edward's Island on the bagpipes.
Music performed throughout the evening ranged from the 13th to the 20th century.
Sumer is a cumin in (c.1270) whose original manuscript can be found at Reading Abbey is the oldest example of counterpoint and was sung a cappella as a round by years 7 and 8. The same year groups also sang Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel. Years 5 & 6 gave very energised performances of Mister Mistoffelees from Cats and an African song, Amani Utupe. Years 3 & 4 delighted the audience with their 2-part version of The Bare Necessities and Last-Minute Calypso (including actions).
Special mention must be made of the other soloists who featured. Ebyan Rezgui (Y.8) gave a flourishing performance of Gossec's Tambourin and he has won a music exhibition to Abingdon. Magnus Williamson (Y.8) gave a lovely interpretation of The Entertainer by Scott Joplin and Tom Buckle (Y.7) sang The Encounter beautifully. Other highlights included the Polka Band (director Nick Dougherty), Senior Choir who sang Mozart's Ave Verum and Amazing Grace, Junior Choir and Wind Band(director Lenka Sowter), Simon Currie's Jazz Band, an ever-increasing Guitar Group with the popular Paul Wisby and Brass Group, who played an arrangement of Wallace and Gromit.
Back again by popular demand were the Glee Club (Staff Choir) who excelled themselves this time by singing Gershwin's Summertime from Porgy and Bess in harmony. There's no stopping them now! As always the whole school came together for a grand finale with I Get Around by the Beach Boys. The boys filled the theatre with a terrific sound and this had the audience clapping and singing along too. Of course they wanted an encore!
