Sixth Form Music Showcase Delights
The Sixth Form Music Showcase is an opportunity for the Senior students to perform in front of parents, friends and staff and demonstrate the breadth of ability at RGS. We had everything from a duet on the French Horn, to a pop song written, and performed, by an Upper Sixth student. The event is always compèred by the students themselves as they take charge with the Music staff assisting as accompanists and supporters.
Lower Sixth Form student, Bethany Atherton, who performed in the Showcase, summarises the event:
“On Monday this week, RGS held its Sixth Form Music Showcase in which many Upper and Lower Sixth students, including myself, performed pieces of various styles. This event was a chance to perform and demonstrate the hard work that goes into performing pieces to a supportive audience. The success of the evening was undoubtedly down to the respect each performer showed to one another and the organisation and planning done by Director of Music, Mr Jonathan Soman and others who helped arrange the Music Showcase event. Thanks, must also go to our fabulous compères, Will Hulbert and Luke Jones, whose witty remarks kept the showcase lively between performances.
The evening started off with a bang with Ivan Innocent on the drums, Theo Mason on the sax and Lucas Reid on the piano all playing “Take Five”. Another impressive trio, who got the evening swinging again after the interval, was Poppy Wood, Catherine Broadbent and Martha Burdon playing the “Aria” from Bach’s Goldberg Variations. The duets of the night were performed by Elizabeth Crookall and Sophie Jackson on flutes and Luke Jones and Will Hulbert on French horns.
The rest of the Showcase consisted of a diverse mix of solos. The singers Charlie Raven, Jane Tam and Daniel Foster all skilfully demonstrated the range of their vocals. Showcasing the brass family were Ellie Hinds on the bass trombone, Toby Alexander on the cornet and Josh Fisher on the trumpet. Our talented pianists of the evening were Michael Liu, Millie Young, Charlotte Abbots and Noah Davison. Extra congratulations go to Anna Jobes who played the piano and sang an original song named “Failing to Fall”.
Bringing more variety to the evening we had George Laney on the drums, Poppy Wood playing solo violin, Catherine Broadbent playing a solo flute piece and I played a piece on the treble recorder. The Showcase concluded with an incredible performance by Halcyon, a band consisting of Callum Lockett (voice), Emily Crabbe (bass), Rupert Hobson (drums) and Drama Assistant, Mr Luke Melaard (guitar). The band played “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars and, with some encouragement from Halcyon, our lovely audience were on their feet and clapping along, though perhaps the complimentary wine and cheese sticks can be attributed to some of their confidence!
I am a new student at RGS in the Sixth Form and this was my first Music Showcase. I was impressed by how well organised the evening was; never before have I participated in such an enjoyable concert. I was congratulated by friends and audience members alike; however, it was mostly exclamations of surprise that the recorder can actually sound nice; I think perhaps everyone has been traumatised by the screeching noises recorders can produce in the hands of beginners!
Once again, I would like to congratulate all the performers. The variety of the Showcase ensured that, regardless of musical taste, everyone who attended left with a smile on their face.
We now look forward to the Autumn Concert after Half term which will take place on Wednesday 9 November.”
Bethany Atherton, Lower Sixth