RGS Live Rocks the Performing Arts Centre

Last Friday, pupils took to the stage in the Performing Arts Centre for ‘RGS Live’, an evening of Rock and Pop music showcasing solo singers, instrumentalists, ensembles and student-led bands from across all age groups at the School.

The concert marked an exciting start to this year’s busy Performing Arts calendar, with a varied programme ranging from Franz Ferdinand, Electric Light Orchestra and The Rolling Stones to Adele, Kate Bush, Oasis and Stevie Wonder. Guitar Group opened the evening with Take Me Out and Mr Blue Sky, before a series of solo vocal performances placed individual talent in the spotlight.

Daisy performed Dive by Olivia Dean, followed by Lilah with Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy. Grace and Freddie performed Live Forever, while Ridhima sang Rolling in the Deep. Eva took on Paramore’s Still Into You, Mimi performed Slide Away by Oasis and Becca sang Great Expectation by Sienna Spiro. Amelia followed with Orpheus by Peggy, before Abigail performed Running Up That Hill, Larissa sang Skyfall and Katie closed the first half with Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing.

Following the interval, Jack and Mr Garrity opened the second half with Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones. Arthur then performed Vienna by Billy Joel, before Rachel and Sihan presented Easy On Me. Lexie performed A Thousand Years, Oscar offered his interpretation of The Beatles’ I’m Only Sleeping and Emily performed You Stole The Show.

The evening then moved into a series of student-led band performances. ‘Roll With It’ brought together Heidi, Rachel, Catherine, Thomas and Cooper for Back to Black, while ‘2Barneys’ performed Naïve with Freddie, Arthur, Barney and Barney. Callum, Ollie and Will took to the stage as ‘Hand of Doom’ for a powerful performance of War Pigs, before established RGS band ‘Jigsaw’, featuring Will, Ozzy, James, Arthur, Jai and Sihan, brought the evening to a close with Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely.

The evening was a wonderful showcase of individual and ensemble performance, confidence and musicianship, while also reflecting the range of opportunities pupils and students have to perform Music at RGS.

Congratulations to all of the soloists, instrumentalists and band members who performed and thank you to the Music Department and the many staff who supported the evening. We now look forward to the Sixth Form Music Showcase on Thursday 8 October as the programme of live Music at RGS continues this term.

Mr J Conway, Director of Music