This afternoon, 29 September, saw staff and pupils gather in the Lecture Theatre for the first Lunchtime Concert of this academic year. The Lunchtime Concerts are an amazing opportunity for musicians of all abilities to have a go at performing on stage in front of students and staff, whether it is their first time on stage or whether they are a master of stagecraft. This concert was no exception with a real mix of experienced and new performers.
First to perform, and certainly not showing any signs of nerves or pressure, was Matt Grundy on the piano with his rendition of an ABBA classic, Slipping Through My Fingers. Usually known for his performances at concerts on the drums, today he swapped the sticks for the keys and delivered a moving performance that had the audience enraptured. Even more impressively, Matt learned to play the song completely by ear - the sure sign of a budding talented musician.
Next to perform was Axel Crane who, on his solo performing debut, played the theme from Rocky, a film classic, on the saxophone. Axel is one of our prodigies from the Lower School Music Programme and, much to the awe of the audience, has only been learning to play the saxophone for a year.
Up next on stage was Henry Johnston, who is one the College's Year 11 music scholars. For today's Lunchtime Concert, Henry performed a piece of music from West Side Story - Somewhere. With Mrs Rapple Moore on the piano providing the accompaniment, Henry showed great poise and execution in his singing of the Broadway musical.
Felix Collar was the next to perform for the audience with their rendition of Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer on the bass guitar - a classic that certainly gained instant approval from the crowd! Bringing the sounds of rock n roll to the concert, the bass could probably be heard reverberating throughout the John Turner Building!
Next, and certainly somebody who is no stranger to performing, was Leo Slowikowski. A seasoned performer with experience on the clarinet, piano and saxophone, today he played a jazz classic - Tinner of Blues, on the saxophone.
Last to perform at the concert was Seb Crehan Mills, another multi-instrumentalist, who performed one of his Grade 3 piano pieces - Salut d'amour.
Our audience, consisting of many pupils and staff members, gave each of the performers a resounding reception and once the last note was played, serenaded our musicians with a wholly deserved round of applause. For some, it was their first time performing and with the way they played today, it would've been hard to tell.
A huge congratulations to all those who performed today, and thank you to everyone that attended to support. The next Lunchtime Concert will be held in the beginning of November and so we hope to see even more in attendance!
