By Miss Goodsell, Director of Music

The annual flagship concert was held on Monday at St Barnabas Church. Featuring 176 performers from Years 7–13, it celebrated the full breadth of music at NHEHS.

The Symphony Orchestra opened the evening with the third movement of Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov. This was followed by two Year 13 students, Emma and Georgia, who performed concerto movements with the orchestra. Later in the programme, Zoe, Amelie and Harriet performed part of Corelli’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 8, and Abi sang an aria from Don Giovanni. The Session Orchestra played with great confidence, and the audience also enjoyed performances by Vox, the Marimba Ensemble, and the Year 10–11 piano trio amongst others.

The second half featured the Harmony Choir, Senior Choir, Chamber Orchestra and Senior Percussion Ensemble, who joined forces to perform four movements from Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary by Karl Jenkins. The concert was a resounding success, and we are grateful to all the performers for their commitment and energy.

For many of our Year 13s, this was their last concert at school and their thought were summed up by Georgia C and Emma S, who said, ‘As it was our last, this concert was really special to us. Having the opportunity to play concerto movements with an orchestra allowed us to build our confidence as performers, as well as being genuinely fun. Also, being able to conduct wind band allowed us to assume leadership roles and stretch ourselves.

We are so grateful for the incredible music department, and so proud of all the other soloists.’