A night of musical excellence

On Thursday 17 November 2022, 330 Whitgift students performed at the Autumn Collection Concert at Fairfield Halls, and the music and talent this year did not disappoint.

Whitgift invited 1300 pupils from 15 local primary schools to attend the concert in the morning, as a way of giving back to the local community. Both the pupils watching and the Whitgift students performing, enjoyed the concert thoroughly and it was a joy to see so many happy faces!

Founded in 1905, the Whitgift Corps of Drums is one of the oldest in Britain and is the only fully student-run organisation in the School. The night started off with a performance by them of Children’s Love by W. Turpin, led by Drum Major and Sixth Former, Milo Weaver. They exited the stage, after a series of flute and drum solos, as well as a beautiful performance of British Grenadiers by Trad.

Third Form students were tasked with writing a fanfare and Ethan Gilbert won this competition. He commented “I am lucky enough for my piece to be played tonight at Fairfield Halls, and as a student interested in composition, this is an incredible experience.” The Senior Brass ensemble performed Ethan Gilbert’s piece before the String ensemble performed Movement IV from Serenade for Strings, directed by Mr Winter.

The Whitgift Brass Ensemble, led by Ms Temple, took the audience back to the past by performing a nostalgic piece from the blockbuster film 633 Squadron. While the Jazz Band performed a calming and relaxing rendition of My Favourite Things by R. Rogers, O Hammerstein and J. Coltrane. The tone took a turn with their next performance of Feeling Good by L. Briscusse and A. Newley, a classic, which left everyone feeling empowered.

After a short interval, Whitgift’s Chamber Choir displayed a fantastic performance of Mozart’s Movement I Symphony No 40 in G minor. The next performance of Dido’s Lament from Dido and Aeneas composed by Henry Purcell, was performed as a tribute to the late Queen.

The Whitgift Symphony Orchestra performed two pieces, Conga del Fuego Nuevo by Arturo Márquez, directed by Mr Elsom and Jupitar from the Planets Suite, directed by Mr Winter. Both performances were truly impressive, and it was a lovely way to transition to the final performance of the evening from Whitgift’s First Form Choir and Band. The entire year group was involved in putting on a compilation of songs from Disney, as a way of celebrating Disney’s 50^th Anniversary. They performed Disney Dazzle by Alan Menke, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice. This final performance was filled with fun and excitement, which was a wonderful way to close the Autumn Collection Concert.

Director of Music, Mr Elsom commented “the rehearsals, despite very tight timings, went very well, and the Primary Schools’ Concert went down a storm with the students…I felt that this evening’s concert was hugely successful.”