Spectacular Gala Concert in Nottingham
Published by Oakham School on Wednesday 27th of March 2019
The School’s annual concert always promises to be a treat for the ears, but this year’s concert was a truly varied spectacular, setting new high standards for performance at Oakham. Nearly 300 pupils were involved in the performance, which celebrated both the collective and individual talents of Oakham pupils. The first half featured three major instrumental ensembles – the Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band & Symphony Orchestra. Head of Strings, Martin Cropper, directed the Chamber Orchestra with customary vigour and style as they featured Form 5 music scholar, Alina, as the skilful soloist in Vivaldi’s Cello Concerto in A minor. The Concert Band took the audience off to the USA, celebrating the music of Gershwin before their entertaining tribute to the Big Band sound in Rob Buckley’s challenging Jitterbug! The baton was passed to the Director of Music to finish the first half at the helm of the Symphony Orchestra. Form 7 pianist Vienna was the exhilarating and inspiring soloist in two movements from Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2, before the orchestra (featuring leader Grace) concluded their Saint-Saëns’ tribute with his famous and diabolical Danse macabre. The packed audience returned from the interval to the amazing sight of the Chapel Choir and the whole of Form 3 (dressed in light blue T-shirts), opening the second half of the concert with a rousing performance of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, You’ll never walk alone, from the musical Carousel. As the cheers subsided, the Chapel Choir maintained the Romantic musical style by concluding the concert with a tribute to the music of Mendelssohn. After a beautiful angelic chorus from his oratorio Elijah (Denn er hat seinen Engeln), they gave a spirited performance of Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise, featuring mature solo singing from Form 7 sopranos Lily & Beth, and Form 6 tenor William. This was an extraordinary musical event, and all the performers and dedicated music staff are to be congratulated for such a massive achievement.
