On Friday 22 April the Shiplake College Chamber Choir and Music Scholars’ concert took place in Christ Church, Henley on Thames, to entertain a very welcoming audience with a fine selection of works from different times and places. The performance was a fantastic opportunity to perform in the community, accompanied by an orchestra of professional musicians. The talented music scholars opened proceedings with individual performances, followed by the Chamber Choir, who performed the world-famous Vivaldi’s Gloria to great acclaim. The church was packed as family, staff and members of the local community came to support the musicians.
The scholars and young soloists performing in the first half ranged from Years 9 to 13, and there was a split between vocal and instrumental scholars. Year 10 pupil Dominic John-Vallee opened the concert with a movement from a Veracini piece, played beautifully on the violin. Amongst many accomplished performances, Year 9 pupil Michael Scanlon captivated the audience with another string performance, playing the theme from Schindler’s List, composed by famous composer John Williams. Orla Brown (Year 13 pupil) wowed the audience with a performance of a Chopin piece on the piano, having just passed her grade 8!
The vocal scholars were also superb; Year 10 pupil Ben Atkin’s voice rang out across the church as he sang The Sky Above the Roof; Robbie Rayne (Year 11) bravely tackled a Beethoven piece, and year 13 pupil Jordan Gibson closed the first half, with a spine-tingling rendition of Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind. The soloists performed their pieces with panache and a real sense of style.
The Chamber Choir took to the stage in the second half, performing Vivaldi’s Gloria. The choir executed a stunning performance of the piece, and the audience were mesmerised. Exquisite solos were sung by Year 9 boys Bobby Howard-Jones, Henry Finnegan and Year 13 girls Lucy Walker and Emily Dewell, captivating the audience. Choir Director and Conductor Mrs Louise Rapple Moore commented that ‘the Chamber Choir have worked really hard for months to bring together this demanding piece, and their hard work and tenacity has paid off. I hope that, for those who were performing here for the first time, this is the first of many.’
Director of Music Mr Richard Curran was delighted with the concert. ‘The whole evening was a true celebration of music, reflecting the discipline and determination that are attributes of well-grounded young musicians. Congratulations to the Shiplake College staff, pupils and choral director Mrs Rapple Moore for a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable evening of music.’
