On Thursday 18 June, the Shiplake College Music Department hosted a wonderful outdoor Sofa Session, blessed with glorious sunshine and a relaxed summer atmosphere. Held on Skipwith Lawn, the event offered a perfect setting for an evening of live music, with refreshments kindly provided by the catering team and seating arranged around an intimate stage area.
The evening showcased an impressive variety of performances, featuring both familiar faces and students taking to the stage for the first time. For some, this provided an ideal opportunity to gain confidence ahead of their debut at the upcoming Shiplake Rocks festival.
The programme began with a series of polished solo vocal performances, including two singers accompanied by equally talented student pianists. These were followed by a newly formed Year 12 jazz band, who delivered a confident rendition of a classic standard. The relaxed tone of the evening continued with a set of acoustic songs for guitar and voice, perfectly suited to the outdoor setting.
A particular highlight was the debut of two Year 8 bands, who performed with remarkable confidence and energy for their first appearances on stage. Their performances promise great things for their upcoming participation in Shiplake Rocks.
The evening then moved into a more energetic style, with a Year 10 band performing a powerful rock ballad, before concluding with Horizon, a mixed-year group band. Their lively set of well-known 1980s classics brought the event to a memorable close and had the audience fully engaged.
The Sofa Session was a great success, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed. Thanks go to the audience for their enthusiastic support, the performers for their hard work and talent, and the Year 12 Music class for their efforts in setting up the staging and sound. Special thanks must also be given to Mr Elliott and Mrs Haynes for their excellent organisation and planning of the event.
We look forward to hosting many more events like this in the future - be sure to keep an eye on the calendar!
Please enjoy photo highlights below.
.jpg/SpringConcert2026(2)__500x500.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "Spring Concert 2026")
