On Wednesday 2nd May, we hosted our Whole School Summer Concert here at Birkenhead School. The sun shone for this wonderful evening, celebrating the incredible musical talents of our students and staff.
Starting off proceedings was the Prep Orchestra, with performances following from Senior Choir, Concert Band, Year 5 Choir, Senior Orchestra and the Brass Ensemble, all giving stellar recitals of their music pieces.
Following this was a treat for the audience, as it was the first performance of the Renaissance Band, who played traditional Renaissance instruments during Tielman Susato’s ‘La Mourisque’. The band played two crumhorns, one cornemuse and one Renaissance flute, all kindly loaned to them, free of charge, from the North West Early Music Forum.
The entertainment continued with the Senior String Ensemble on next, performing alongside Dr Alberto Sanna, an acclaimed violinist and musicologist who specialises in early modern Italian music. This was followed by the Chapel Choir and then the Chamber Choir, consisting of nine female vocalists, who had beaten their male counterparts to perform at the concert. Expertly directed by Miss Pulford, they gave a wonderful performance of ‘Even When He Is Silent’.
Next to entertain the audience was the Folk Band who performed Stomach Steinway Man/The Red Crow and Spaghetti Panic. These lively renditions by the talented group are always sure to get the audience joining in by clapping along with their dynamic performance.
Following this, The Leavers then took to the stage, with three students, Adrian on piano, Shikhar on harmonica and Mathew on vocals, performing a powerful rendition of Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’ which received rapturous applause. Then came a performance from all of The Leavers, singing Bui Doi (Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schöneberg); a wonderful way to say goodbye to these nine students, and highlighting just how sorely-missed they, and their immense musical talents, will be.
Finally, came the Big Band who brought the concert to an end as only they can. Before their fantastic encore, however, there was a fond farewell to Mr Davies who will be leaving us at the end of term and who will leave a huge gap for the Music and IT Departments to fill, as a result of his talent in many different areas of the School.
The Summer Concert was a fantastic evening, showcasing the incredible talents of students and staff that we have here at the School. Well done to all who took part and made the concert as special as it was.
For more photos from the evening, please visit our Facebook page.