On Thursday 17 March Shiplake College musicians, both staff and pupils, came together to perform in the Spring Concert. A packed Sports Hall thoroughly enjoyed toe-tapping theme tunes, spine-tingling sonatas and crowd-pleasing pop songs. The concert also marked Director of Music Mr Richard Curran’s first concert with Shiplake College, and he absolutely mastered it. Along with Mr Paul Jones, Mrs Louise Rapple Moore and help from peripatetic music teachers and musically-gifted staff, the pupils gave the concert their all, and the audience enjoyed every moment of it.
Each boy joining the school in Year 7 is encouraged to try an instrument, even if they have little or no musical background beforehand. The Tasters Orchestra is then formed from everyone who is getting to grips with their instrument and gaining experience playing with an organised group. The boys performed Daft Punk’s Get Lucky. The Orchestra took to the stage next, giving a stirring performance of Out of Africa, and a James Bond medley. The Shiplake Community Choir also joined the College for the concert, and performed a fitting tribute to David Bowie, singing a heart-wrenching rendition of his great classic Life on Mars.
A band of pupils called Stranded hit the spotlight next, singing Blink 182’s All the Small Things – a definite toe-tapper for the audience! They were followed by the Welsh House Ensemble, who had the audience clapping along to their rendition of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough! The String Ensemble followed with an accomplished version of Adele’s hit song Hello, with Lucy Walker and Maddie Chapples tackling the vocals beautifully. The First Eight, an acapella group of male vocalists, sang Love Yourself, written by Ed Sheeran. Their vocals were spot on and the performance was fantastic.
This was followed by an instrumental piece, I Nearly Got Rhythm, performed by the Saxophone Quartet. The piece was deceptively difficult to play and challenged the pupils’ techniques and sense of rhythm: a challenge to which they arose admirably. We were back to vocals after that with a movement from Vivaldi’s Gloria in Excelsis Deo, performed by the Chamber Choir. The Covers Band then took to the stage, to play an old favourite: Sweet Home Alabama. David Bowie’s music made another appearance, thanks to a stunning performance of Heroes by the Lower School Choir. The final piece, Funky Monkey and Everybody Needs Somebody was performed by the Big Band, and was the ideal way to close the concert. Mr Curran then welcomed all guests to join him in the Great Hall for refreshments, with many commenting on how accomplished the musicians were, and how fantastic it was that so many of the pupils get involved with music at the College.
The Summer Concert will be held on Monday 27 June at 7.30pm. Family and friends are warmly invited to watch.
