After the relative calm of the first half of term, it has been a whirlwind of activity in the Performing Arts Centre over the last few weeks.
Year 2 Instrumental Concerts
At the Year 2 Instrumental Concerts, every pupil gave a performance on their recorder, demonstrating what they have achieved since starting lessons in September. A few children also performed on other instruments, including the violin, the fife, drums and guitar.
Mr Allum said: "As Year 3s, the children will continue learning the recorder next term, so be sure to keep the practice going over the holiday!
Our Year 2 pupils impressed us all with their confidence during their instrumental concerts in the music school.
Year 2 teacher, Mrs Temple, said: “We were treated to a wide range of instruments including the drums, recorder, fife, violin, trumpet, guitar and piano. It is a huge achievement for each child to stand up and perform in front of an audience and we are so proud of them all.”
Rock Gig
The Rock Gig was a brilliantly entertaining evening, held in the convivial surroundings of the Honor Uloth Room. Organised by Mr Soothill (guitars) and Mr Berkley (percussion), the evening saw a number of bands take to the stage to perform songs including Get Lucky (Daft Punk), Higher Ground (Wonder) and You Belong with Me (Swift) among others. There were also a few solos, with the teachers forming a ‘backing band’. Our boarders were drawn to the funky sounds and stayed to watch alongside parents and extended family. A relaxed vibe saw everyone taking their drinks onto the terrace in the warm evening sun and enjoying the music. Congratulations to all who took part.
Performance Platforms and Distinctions
The Summer Performance Platform soon followed, with a small but enjoyable selection of solos, mostly from those who were taking their music exams. Well done to all involved. Mrs Rowe’s piano pupils also enjoyed their own concert, with some lovely poised performances.
Speaking of exams, congratulations to all those who prepared for them this term, with a particular ‘well done’ to those earning distinctions:
- Kiara B Grade 1 Piano
- Teddy H-N Grade 1 Piano
- Annabel W-L Grade 2 Recorder
- Emma G Grade 2 Flute
- Mya L-G Grade 4 Flute
- Hebe S Grade 5 Singing
- Davina P Grade 6 Singing
It was great to see the whole of Year 6 perform in their own Performance Platform towards the end of term. Having used their class lessons to rehearse three whole-class percussion items, it was great to see a full hall enjoying their performances. We also enjoyed exceptional solos from Jay G (cello), Hebe S (singing), Georgie M (violin), Jamie R (trombone) and Bea B (piano).
Leavers' Service
The Leavers’ Service is always a moving and emotional affair for many of our leavers and their parents. The Chapel Choir were on fine form in The Lord Bless You and Keep You by John Rutter and the ever-popular Love Divine by Howard Goodall. Wendy Griffiths, former Head of Tudor Hall and one of our own governors, gave an enlightening and entertaining address, and everyone enjoyed singing the rousing hymns.
Guys and Dolls
This led on to the final week of term, with both the Year 8 production of Guys and Dolls and the School Concert taking centre stage. The Year 8s, who filled two weeks post-exams with rehearsals pulled off a fantastic performance of this great musical – the ‘musical fable of Broadway’. Featuring several complex dance routines, fantastically colourful costumes and some beautiful singing, this was a brilliant end to this year group’s experience of music and drama at Westbourne. Well done to all involved, and a particularly big pat-on-the-back to the stars of the show, Greta (Sarah), Hugh (Sky), Dora (Adelaide) and Noah (Nathan).
School Concert
Finally, the last musical event of the term came in the form of the impressive School Concert. The 30-strong Orchestra kicked off the evening with the theme tunes from Pirates of the Caribbean and Skyfall, which featured a particularly impressive percussion section, complete with timpani and huge gongs! Performances from the Year 6 Chamber Ensemble and the Junior and Senior Brass Groups showcased how chamber music at the school is very much thriving. So too are the rock bands, and these were represented by the Year 8 Rock Band performing Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean and the spectacular Joker and the Thief by Wolf Mother. The Junior, Senior and Chapel Choirs were all out in force too. The 70-strong Junior Choir, featuring all children in Year 3 and Year 4 performed a touching selection of songs from The Secret Garden, whilst the Senior Choir partnered with the Drum Group and had the audience clapping along in S Club 7’s Reach and a two-part version of Fly me to the moon. There were accomplished solo performances from some of our Year 8s - Alexis B and Rafferty M (piano), Patrick W (trumpet), Miguel A (violin), Penny C (flute) and Joe P (tuba), and the Chapel Choir brought the evening, and the musical year, to a close with three varied songs – We said we wouldn’t look back, from Salad Days, an arrangement of Queen’s Bohemia Rhapsody and John Rutter’s evocative anthem Look to the Day.
We wish all those in Year 8 the best of luck in their future musical adventures, and look forward to seeing everyone else in September for another year of brilliant music-making.
