To round off a busy half-term, our Lower School pupils gave a fantastic concert, celebrating their music-making with group and solo performances. The concert was a great opportunity to hear the fruits of their hard work in individual lessons and ensemble rehearsals celebrated in front of support from their families, peers and the wider school community.
The concert showcased the full range of instrumental ensembles on offer at Oakham. In a resounding opening, the Lower School Percussion Ensemble performed the catchy Who let the dogs out? with energy and drive. The Lower School Guitar Ensemble entertained the audience with their performance of the popular theme from James Bond, followed by a joyous rendition of the traditional Gaudete! from the Lower School Brass Ensemble. The Lower School Strings rounded off their performance with a lively set of three Latin American Dances, joining forces with members of the percussion ensemble for a thrilling finish to their programme.
Choral singing is one of the central facets of musical life at Oakham, and the performances by both Lower School vocal groups, Cantamus and the Lower School Choir, were testament to its importance. Cantamus gave an entertaining performance of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida, and the Lower School Choir sang David Fanshawe’s lyrical setting of The Lord’s Prayer, as well as an exuberant choral finale, the Broadway hit The Rhythm of Life (from Sweet Charity).
The afternoon also offered the opportunity for some of our youngest musicians to take to the stage as soloists. Special congratulations go to instrumentalists Henry, Madeleine, Prince, Feodora and Baker, as well as Safi and Charlie, who reprised their class-winning songs from the Singing Competition on Sunday 5 February.
With more than one hundred young musicians performing, the concert was a real celebration of Lower School music at Oakham. Well done to all the students on their confident and musical performances in what was an entertaining and enjoyable concert!
