Festivities at RGS: ‘Christmas with the Big Band’
“Last Monday evening, the Godfrey Brown Theatre played host to the annual ‘Christmas with the Big Band’ concert; and what a concert it was! After over two years since their last opportunity to perform, the RGS Jazz Ensembles and other RGS musicians, returned in true style.
The concert was split into two sections: the first filled with regular repertoire and the second bringing festive favourites. The event opened with Big Band’s first set which featured spirited jazz tunes by Duke Ellington and Josef Zawinul. Following this, the band performed Stay Go, an original song which I wrote and also sang; the audience seemed to really enjoy the piece and it was a real privilege to perform original material in such a setting. The opening set then closed with an arrangement of the Simon and Garfunkel classic Bridge Over Troubled Water complete with a complex re-harmonisation. After this, the newly formed Sax Ensemble, composed of members from every year group in the school, performed two jazz classics: Crazy Rhythm and Gershwin’s Someone To Watch Over Me. The first half was then closed by the Senior Jazz Ensemble playing ‘Cottontail’ by Duke Ellington and Play It Back by Dr Lonny Smith. These complex tunes were handled with stylistic integrity and true flair. Notable solos from saxophonist Grace Reid, bassist Lizzie Adams and pianist Ben Weller, were all welcomed with rapturous applause from the evidently impressed audience. The interval involved festive themed refreshments in Perrins Hall, while being serenaded by the Sixth Form Scholars Group, who performed an acapella version of the Christmas classic Jingle Bells and festive background music provided by talented pianist Sasha Penlington.
The second half welcomed in festivities with full force as all performers donned Christmas jumpers and ‘tinsel-ated’ (a verb coined by RGS trombonist Ben Fisher!) their instruments. The RGS Flute Group played arrangements of March from The Nutcracker, Crazy Flutes and Carol of the Bells. Next, we had the inaugural performance of RGS Clarinet Choir, who also performed a spirited rendition of Jingle Bells followed by another Christmas classic: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas which was ably led by soloist Noah Davidson. This was succeeded by Big Bands second set, which left a smile on the faces of all in the audience and hopefully left them feeling considerably more festive! Firstly, they played Swing March fromThe Nutcracker, followed by a jazzed-up version of Frosty the Snowman. Vocalist Rosie Greenwood was then invited to the stage to perform the Stevie Wonder classic What Christmas Means to Me before the concert ended with a calypso version of the carol Deck the Halls.
Everyone who was involved in putting on such an event deserves huge congratulations. Thank you to all the performers for working so hard in the rehearsals and all the staff who provide such opportunities, in particular Mr Adlington for leading the event. It was a hugely enjoyable evening which summoned in Christmas with style.”
George Oates
RGS Student and member of the RGS Jazz Ensemble
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