Gala Concert

The Gala Concert, held on Valentine’s Day, was a truly joyous evening of stunning music. Performances were from our many and varied Davenies ensembles from Year 3 upwards, as well as several very accomplished soloists in Years 6, 7 and 8.

Senior Handbells opened the show with an exciting rendition of the theme from Mission Impossible. This was followed by a sweet performance of ‘Where is Love?’ sung by Junior Choir. William Andrews was our first soloist, performing a beautiful version of ‘Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child’. Guitar Ensemble then played the James Bond theme followed by Pirates of the Caribbean. Thomas Gillham gave a lovely rendition of ‘Beaufort Allegro’ by T. Davoren on the tuba, and then the newly-formed Davenies Stingers delighted us all with a gorgeous performance of ‘Blackbird’ by the Beatles.

Sebastian Gemmell followed this with an assured version of the second movement of Vivaldi’s Lute concert in D major, and then our senior Piano Trio performed ‘Praludium’ by Shostakovich impressively from memory. Filip Lepri took to the stage to perform ‘Pozegnanie Ojczyzny’ by Oginski on the piano, and the first half ended with Chamber Choir’s superb, prize-winning rendition of ‘Danny Boy’ arr. A. L’Estrange.

The second half opened with two energetic numbers from Jazz Band: ‘Prototype’ and ‘Watermelon Man’. George Watson then reminded us all of the fact that it was Valentine’s Day with his lovely performance of ‘Fly me to the Moon’. Hugh Suggett thrilled us all with the dazzling ‘Rondo’ from Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4, and then Max Marson-Day gave a moving piano performance.

Rock Band stormed the stage with two exciting performances of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana and ‘Crazy’ by John Legend. This was followed by two beautiful solo performances: the first movement of Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in G, played by William Whitby, followed by ‘Nocturne’ by Tchaikovsky, performed on the cello by George Bridges. William Lindeque and Hugh Suggett gave a splendid rendition of the famous ‘Laudamus te’ from Vivaldi’s Gloria and then we were treated to an atmospheric rendition of ‘Still, Still, Still’, sung by the Friends of Davenies Choir. Chamber Choir then joined forces with the Friends of Davenies Choir for the grand finale: a glorious performance of ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ from Gloria in D major RV 589 by Vivaldi.

This was a truly magical event and many congratulations to the Music Department and all the musicians who took part.

Mrs Watson, Head of Music