21 June 2022
One of the musical highlights of each year is the Lower School Gala Concert. It is a chance for Lower School students to celebrate their music making and to showcase both individual and ensemble performances.
This year was extra special due to the fact that the last two opportunities have had to be remote. Welcoming so many audience members to this year’s concert was fantastic and encouraged the students to perform to the highest level.
Alongside the ensembles, Lower School Band, Open Mic Group, Junior Strings, Blues Society, and Lower School Brass Ensemble, there were a number of outstanding individual contributions to the evening. From Bassoon to Bagpipes, the event catered for all musical tastes. A special mention to our soloists goes to 1st Years – Harish Sivakumar, Felix Price, Justin Mi, Louis de Chazal, Leo Minns, George Lethaby, Kwame Abayateye, and Ajeet Nagi – and to 2nd years – Irfan Sampurno, Harrison Wong, Nikhil Harie, Casper Whitfield and Ge Wei Wang. Each of these performances showed students at different steps of their musical journeys and were all a joy to witness.
The evening concluded with the whole of Lower School performing Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley, which is always a lovely thing to see. Abingdon really values singing as part of every musician’s training and the Lower School did not disappoint.
Before the final item, we took the opportunity to thank Mr Treadaway and wish him a very Happy Birthday! Mr Treadaway is moving to a new post as a housemaster at Milton Abbey School next year. Over the last four years he has directed the Chapel Choir and other singing here with great distinction, he has been a dynamic classroom teacher and he has directed the School’s eLearning, as well as offering huge support in the department.
A huge thank you, too, went to the other members of staff involved for all of their hard work in putting the items together for tonight – Dr Preece, Ms Stulting, Mr Owen and Mr Somerville. Their skill and dedication enabled the ensembles and soloists to perform to such a high standard.
It was a truly wonderful occasion and one that I am sure will be fresh in the memory of all that attended for weeks to come. To have such an eclectic mix of musical genres on display shows the wide range of musical talent we have at Abingdon School. Congratulations to all in Lower School!
