Blake Fundraising concert

On Saturday 11th June, 11 pupils from the choir were invited to sing with the success classical vocal Trio Blake as part of a fundraising evening. Blake member and OG Humphrey Berney had organised the evening picnic event in aid of the Rose Berney Memorial Fund, supporting mental health and suicide prevention, Rose being the sister he had tragically lost due to mental health issues several years ago.  Despite the subject matter, it was a wonderful evening in the grounds of the Berney home and our pupils accompanied Bake on several tracks as well as singing in the interval as the large audience picnicked. Special mention must go to Tavi P who sang Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu with Humphrey.

Jubilee Celebrations

As the Country celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, Gresham’s too staged a memorable day of events in the Theatre in the Woods in recognition of this once in a life time event. A Chapel Service in the morning was followed by the CCF Parade which included our newly formed CCF Marching Band.  All credit to them as, for the first time, the musicians looked the part with reduced copies of music held in ‘lyres’ on their instruments. Pupils enjoyed sausage and mash in a street-style lunch in the very patriotically decorated CFB.  At 3.30pm musicians, singers and pupils from the Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior Schools came together for a concert to celebrate all things British. It was a spectacular event, mirroring a proms-style concert and one which allowed the whole Gresham’s family to come together to watch and perform. Concert Band, Orchestra, Choirs and solos provided a rousing programme including the theme from James Bond, a Beatles medley and music by Elgar and Warlock. The audience was treated to the world-premiere of Joe P’s Music A Level composition Trio im Sommer, while Year 13s Kate W, Oliver B and Oliver T performed solos as one of their final contributions to the Music Department. Mr Girling led the audience and choirs in singing The National Anthem, I Vow to Thee my Country and as a finale Rule Britannia, amid much flag waving.

Fishmongers’ Trip

Musicians at Gresham’s had the honour of singing for the Fishmongers’ Company Election Day Service last week. This is a prestigious event that occurs only every two years. 24 pupils embarked on the exciting day trip to London, rehearsing hard all day ahead of their performances during the evening service in St Magnus the Martyr Church. This was a fantastic experience and a good preparation for Choir Tour in October.

Music and Munch

The final Music and Munch of the academic year was a resounding success! A wonderfully supportive audience listened to eight vocal and instrumental performances, with music ranging from Mozart and Schumann to a rendition of a pupil’s original composition, Joel Philpott’s ‘Trio im Sommer’.

This brings us to the close of the informal concert series this year. Music and Munch will return on Friday 30^th September.