Spring Ensembles Concert Showcases Blossoming Talent

Our first concert of the term took place on Tuesday when six of our instrumental groups performed in Perrins Hall for the Spring Ensembles Concert.

Opening the concert was the ten-strong Flute Ensemble with two traditional Irish dances sandwiching the exciting ‘Entry of the Gladiators’ played by four players only. The Clarinet Choir performed the ‘Love Theme’ from ‘Cinema Paradiso’ and ‘When I’m Sixty Four’ in a humorous jazz arrangement, then the Intermediate String Group performed ‘Sabbath Prayer’ from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ with a lovely sensitivity and then an intense and aggressive piece called ‘Ablaze’.

After a short interval to reset the stage, the ever-growing Guitar Group played their rendition of Pharrell Williams’s hit song ‘Happy’, combining acoustic, electric and bass guitars effectively and getting the audience clapping along at the end. The Year Nine Band performed ‘Superstition’ and ‘Zombie’ with real confidence before the concert closed with Junior Jazz’s two tunes by two jazz greats: ‘Jean Pierre’ by Miles Davies and ‘Watermelon Man’ by Herbie Hancock. Many of Junior Jazz improvised on instruments such as the violin, bassoon and trumpet, giving a super platform for this new skill for some of our younger musicians.

As well as showcasing some of our smaller groups to a keen and supportive audience, this concert gave us the chance to say a very fond farewell to our Flute Teacher, Mrs Susan Humphries. Susan has taught at all four RGS Schools during her long career here, an association which began when she herself was a student at The Alice Ottley School. Susan and her husband Ian have been friends of the school for a very long time, with both of their sons attending RGS as well. Susan has achieved great things with countless flute players, inspiring many with her own thoroughness and dedication to her craft. We sincerely thank her for her work here and wish her well for her next steps.

Mr Jonathan Soman, Director of Music