Congratulations to each and every musician who made our Choral and Concerto Concert the phenomenal experience that it was!

Around 500 people came together in Ely Cathedral on Saturday March 21st for the musical masterpiece, which not only showcased the incredible talent of our students, and how music is the beating heart of King's, but also how we are very much a community; with staff participation and family members in the professional orchestra.

Mr Neil Porter-Thaw, our Director of Music, said: "This concert will be remembered for a very long time as King's at its best. It was a joyous event, which displayed the individual brilliance and musical maturity of our pupils. Julian Mak's opening rendition of Saint-Saens Violin Concerto, first movement was technically mastered and flamboyant, showing the intricacies of the instrument. Then followed a mesmerising performance of Ravel's Piano Concerto, second movement, given by Thomas Strudwick, whom we never really get to see performing as he is usually squirrelled away in the organ loft! Thomas' touch was immensely moving, accompanied by woodwind solos and strings. 

"The finest opening of any English composer's cello concerto was beautifully mastered by James Allen, and Elgar's swooping melodies pleased the audience no end, and as for the dramatic scalic passages, well, simply exquisite. One could imagine being swept to the Malvern Hills with the sublime melodies. The first half ended with one of the, if not the most loved slow movements of any concerto, Rachmaninoff's Piano concerto. This moving and incredibly hard movement was expertly performed by Robert Reed, and sent the audience into a most emotional state that you could hear a pin drop!

"After the interval, we spiced up the concert with some jazzy numbers. James Barber performed the Holcombe Jazz Concerto for alto saxophone with a professional brass quintet. What an experience for him, and he pulled it off with aplomb! The jazzy sound was just what the crowd ordered and memorably began the second half. Equally, William Kirkup wowed the crowd with not just his incredible trumpet playing but also his stylish outfit! William showed incredible musicianship with a very flashy Harry James number. This was performed with a full 12-piece brass band and was absolutely awesome!

"It was now time for the choir to perform the most wonderful Fauré Requiem with solo violin, violas, cellos, double bass, harp, bassoons, French horns, trombones, and the occasional thump on a timpani. We are so confident in our singers that we asked Megan Bungard to sing the famous "Pie Jesu", Joshua Davidson "Hostias", and Matthew Allen "Libera Me". All solos were absolutely wonderful, with the "Pie Jesu" being the highlight for many. Fauré’s vision of the Requiem is one of tender consolation rather than solemn dread – a gentle cradle of peace, light, and eternal rest. The choir, under the expert direction of Christopher Finch, made a beautiful warm sound, and was certainly tender and created emotional reactions from the audience. 

"This concert was a real King’s family event, with staff participation and parents joining the professional orchestra. What a wonderful community the King's family is!"

Image by Keith Heppell Photography - look out for lots more photos from the concert on our socials soon!

The concert was recorded. If you were not able to make it, you can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/live/RiJ7bsgDglY