Pupils, parents and staff were treated to a fabulous showcase of music on Friday evening for the College’s first Virtual Winter Concert.
Unlike our traditional Winter Concerts in the Sports Hall, the musical numbers, which ranged from Choral to Jazz, with a little bit of Christmas thrown in, were rehearsed and filmed during the week and premiered on Shiplake’s YouTube channel.
The show opened with the Year 9 Covers Band with an amazing rendition of 'Johnny B Goode', followed by Milo Griffiths with a beautiful acoustic version of 'Mary's Boy Child'.
Throughout the evening we saw the Jazz Quintet perform twice with 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'Agua de Beber'. Nearly all of these boys are new performers from the Lower School - well done boys!
Two more appearances from the Lower School were the Year7 and 8 Ukulele Orchestras. The Music Department has been working with the Lower School this term teaching them the Ukulele. The result was two pieces, 'I'm Yours' and 'Next To Me'. Well done boys for all your hard work in learning what was for many, a new musical instrument.
The second segment began with a performance from the Pop Choir. With singers from across all year groups, they have had to rehearse virtually. When they came together for this performance, they didn't disappoint with an enchanting version of Billie Eilish's 'Lovely'.
In this segment we also saw the First Eight's first performance of 2020-21 with a lovely variation of the Jason Mraz original 'I Won't Give Up', culminating with the Teachers' Covers Band. Our staff band of Mr Milburn, Mr Olhausen and Miss Knight officially got the Shiplake Christmas started with their version of 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town. It really got us all into the Christmas spirit!
The final segment saw the Year 10 Covers Band channelling their inner Wham with a fantastic rendition of 'Last Christmas'.
The Seniors’ Choir raised the roof of the Chapel with a simply beautiful performance of 'He Will Hold Me Fast'. Followed by two performances from Johnny Miller, 'My Flame' which included OV Marcus Bagshawe on guitar, and, 'Corduroy Dreams' with the brilliantly talented Freddie Fisher on acoustic guitar. Brilliant vocals Johnny - well done!
Finally, Year 13 student Tom Stuart performed two Christmas songs for us, 'Driving Home for Christmas' and 'Step into Christmas' playing out the show. Well done Tom and all of the talented musicians in your band.
Mr Curran, Director of Music, said: “I think we really got Christmas started on Friday evening. All pupils involved worked really hard under some very tight timescales and I was very impressed with the focus and effort they put into their performances. I want to thank them for putting on such a fantastic show.
“But, we are not putting down our instruments just yet as rehearsals begin today for our eagerly awaited Carol Service which will be premiered on the last day of term. I hope you will join us again then.”
