Under the leadership of Elizabeth Croft, Head of Singing, our Chapel Choir signed off their busy and impressive year by giving a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria, a first for the Music Department. This oratorio was accompanied by Mr Quinn on organ, but also The Bradfield College Camerata, an ensemble consisting of our own pupils, Liam (A) and Jamie (G), alongside visiting professional musicians. Many congratulations must go to the pupils in our Chapel Choir for the considerable amount of work they did preparing for this concert and we hope this will be the start of along tradition.
Recent years have shown an increasing appetite among the pupil body to put on pupil-led concerts. The Music Department has expertly supported a number of these over the last year, including a live concert as part of an EPQ by Archie (A). His communication, organisation and drive not only resulted in a fantastic concert, but, for the Department, it felt like having an extra member of staff on board throughout the process. His idea was to take the audience on a journey through the development of music from the 1960s onwards and it was a memorable occasion.
Two more pupil-led ‘pop-up’ concerts took place during the last week of term. The first was a classical recital featuring not only the Opera Club but also a wonderful performance from Tallulah (K) of Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate. The second was a rock concert, driven by Seb (G) and featuring one of our newest and most promising pupil bands, entertaining an appreciative audience following the 12-mile charity event ‘Walk for Oscar’ that had taken place that day.
The final pupil organised show of the year saw the whole pupil body join a large number of external guests to fill the Greek Theatre for Savannah’s (M) Semi Colon Project charity concert, raising money for Young Minds. Her show, staged to inspire, educate and provide hope to those watching, featured over fifty Bradfield musicians. The concert also starred visiting professional musicians, two Old Bradfieldians and high-profile keynote speaker, author and mental health advocate Rachel Kelly.
Congratulations and thanks go to all performers, the excellence of the singing and playing was clearly appreciated by the capacity audience. Special mention must go to Savannah herself, not only for being the energy and vision behind the project since the very beginning, but also for her brave and honest speech during the concert in which she shared her own story with the audience.
