By Abi S, Year 11

Last Sunday, five singers from NHEHS went to the Royal Academy of Music to participate in the GDST Sing! event.

Bringing together over 100 musicians from 20 GDST schools, the event allowed us singers to experience navigating more difficult repertoire in a short time frame whilst simultaneously meeting new people and having fun. We were led by Tori Longdon, a choral conductor who inspired and guided us through our four pieces. Our biggest piece was Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo, composed by Cecilia McDowall. It tells the extraordinary story of a young girl with cerebral palsy and her sister who escaped together from war torn Syria and travelled across Europe seeking safety in Germany. We had the privilege to showcase the final performance to not only Cecilia but also to the librettist Kevin Crossley-Holland who brought the story to life via his poetry and moving words. Accompanying this, we performed Lift Thine Eyes by Mendelssohn, Ezekiel Saw the Wheel and Seasons of Love from the musical Rent.

Together, this programme allowed both the choir and selected soloists to shine, resulting in a brilliant performance and the end to a wonderful day.