Shiplake Rocks 2021

28 June 2021

The homes of the Shiplake Community ‘rocked’ on Wednesday night as families tuned in for the premiere of this year’s Shiplake Rocks event.

Like last year, this special event with a festival feel had to be delivered virtually, however this year most of the acts were able to record their numbers on stage under the College's stretch tent.

And, with the Shiplake Rocks uniform of Hawaiian shirts and obligatory festival wellies for those behind the scenes, it really helped pupils and staff get into the festival spirit.

Throughout the evening we were re-introduced to a range of school bands and soloists as well as some old faces - former Shiplake pupils (Old Vikings) who had returned to perform.

It was great to hear Charlie Thomas, Marcus Bagshawe, Ben Atkin and Ethan Overton talk about their time at Shiplake and how being part of music at Shiplake has guided them towards what they do now.

Mr Richard Curran, Director of Music, said: “Despite the COVID restrictions of having to revert to bands from bubbles and five fewer rehearsal weeks than normal, our wonderful family of Shiplake musicians not only managed to share a song or two together with you, but did so brilliantly demonstrating the tenacity, honesty and expression that being a musician at Shiplake is all about.

"I am proud of every single one of our past and present pupils who commanded the stage, and look back at all that our musicians have done since March 2020. They have been ambitious, committed and positive to the end.”

A big thank you to the following acts for their hard work and fantastic performances: