Musicians welcome in festive period with a cracking Christmas Concert
The audience at the 2023 Christmas Concert were treated to a range of festive and non-festive songs as a number of the school’s musical ensembles performed in the Dining Hall.
Big Band started proceedings with ‘Cantaloupe Island’ by Herbie Hancock, ‘In the Mood’ by Joe Garland and Europe’s smash hit ‘The Final Countdown’.
The hall was then filled with the stunning voices of the Chamber Choir. Thomas Morley’s ‘My Bonny Lass She Smileth’ and ‘Ev’ry Time I Feel The Spirit’ by Bob Chilcott wowed the crowd before Arthur Warrell’s arrangement of ‘A Merry Christmas’ added a festive feel.
The first half was brought to a close with the String Orchestra’s performance of ‘Concerto Grosso No. 8’ by Arcangelo Corelli. The piece featured solos from violinists Tori Rees and Jonathan Hyde and celloist Lucy Smith and it was amazing to witness the Upper Sixth students display their talents. The trio have taken part in so many concerts, recitals and festivals during their time at the school and we praise their excellent contributions to SGS Music.
After the interval, VOX welcomed the audience back to their seats by performing four songs: ‘Be the Change’ by Laura Farnell, ‘Carry the Light’ by Andy Beck, ‘Gonna Make A Wish’ by Charles Beale and Barbara Baker & David J Elliott’s arrangement of ‘Feel Good’.
The Intermediate Percussion Ensemble rocked out to Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train’ before jumping into Mariah Carey’s famous festive hit ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’.
The First Orchestra started their two-song set with David Stone’s arrangement of George Frideric Handel’s ‘Suite No. 2 from the Water Music’ before closing the concert by getting the audience involved in a jolly and celebratory performance of ‘Sleigh Ride’ by Leroy Anderson – a SGS tradition!
