On Tuesday 4 April the Music Department hosted a spectacular Spring Concert. The annual concert sees Shiplake’s budding musicians singing and playing instruments, accompanied by talented staff members, for a packed audience. With a range of pieces on offer that covered genres from classical to rock, there was something for everything, as the skilled musicians brought the pieces to life. Conducted by Director of Music Mr Richard Curran, Mr Paul Jones and Mrs Louise Rapple Moore, it was a fantastic evening of music.
The Orchestra were first onstage, performing Peg by Steely Dan. The Community Choir, with is led by Mrs Rapple Moore, joined the Shiplake musicians for the evening, singing Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton. Mr Adam Dimmick made his concert debut with the Welsh House Ensemble, who performed their winning track from House Music; Gary Barlow’s Back for Good. The String Ensemble then took to the spotlight, performing a difficult piece, Petite Gavotte, by Charles Dancla, led by peripatetic teacher Ms Ana Borzone. Stranded, who have been going from strength to strength with each concert, performed Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 2006 smash hit Danny California. The Chamber Choir performed Getty and Townend’s haunting melody, In Christ Alone. The Jack Parrott Band were next onstage, performing an instrumental version of Paranoid Android by Radiohead.
Robbie Rayne had audiences misty-eyed with his note-perfect rendition of Vaughan Williams’ Linden Lea. Robbie stayed onstage to perform as part of the Year 12 BTEC Class, who played Tom Odell’s hit song Another Love. The Saxophone Quartet then showed quite how hard they have been working over the past few months, with a toe-tapping arrangement of Benny Golson’s Whisper Not, which was technically brilliant and had a lovely jazz vibe. The First Eight impressed audiences with an a cappella version of Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror. Rare Groove then performed Luther Vandross’ hit song Never Too Much, with Will Mandondo doing a superb and enthusiastic job on the vocals. Staying with the 80s theme, but moving to an entirely different genre, the Covers Band played Guns ‘n’ Roses Sweet Child O’ Mine, with Quin Wagner-Piggott brilliantly playing the guitar solo. The Lower School Choir, led by Mr Dimmick, were also on board with the 80s theme, playing Journey’s much-loved song Don’t Stop Believin’. The Big Band closed the concert with a soulful rendition of Booker T’s funky tune Green Onions.
Headmaster Mr Gregg Davies had only one word after the concert: ‘wow’! He went on to say: ‘the Music Department and the musicians have just outdone themselves. Every single piece was fantastic and it is such a pleasure to see the sheer talent that we have here.’ Mr Davies also thanked the Music Department for their commitment and hard work in making the evening run so smoothly.