Pershore Abbey Concert Delights 

On the evening of Saturday 26 November, RGS Worcester students were delighted to be asked to perform in a concert at Pershore Abbey. The concert was organised by former RGS Worcester Chemistry teacher, and our organist, Mr John Wilderspin and featured RGS strings players as well as Mr Wilderspin’s own choir, the Baroque Singers, who opened and closed the concert with works by Mozart. Senior Teacher, Dr Ehlers, is a member of the Baroque Singers and performed a bass solo in Mozart’s Vespers to close the concert.

The first RGS ensemble to perform was our Senior Violin Quartet – comprised of Tobey Butler, Catherine Broadbent, Menna Sutton and Poppy Wood – who played a spirited ‘Menuet’ by Handel and then ‘The Man I Love’ by Gershwin. The Senior String ensemble played next, closing the first half with a sumptuous arrangement of Ennio Morricone’s main theme to ‘Cinema Paradiso’ and Piazzolla’s popular and infectious ‘Libertango’.

The second half opened with our Junior String Trio, with Arthur Hasling and Nicole Penlington on violin and Finlay Hilton on cello. This group of Year Seven and Eight Music Scholars first performed a ‘Rondeau’ by J J Mouret and then the tango ‘Por Una Cabeza’ by Carols Gardel. Finally, a massed String Ensemble, comprising over 25 students from Years Seven to Upper Sixth performed, filling the stage to play their versions of ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’, ‘Hit the Road, Jack’ and two pieces from Peter Wilson’s effective ‘Stringpops Suite’.

Many parents and family members enjoyed the whole concert, as did our pupils performing who were impressed by the grandeur and history of the Abbey. The audience in support of the Baroque Singers, and friends of Pershore Abbey, were struck by the variety of music performed by the RGS musicians as well as their maturity and confidence. 

We would like to congratulate all who took part!