The music department at King’s College, Taunton has had an incredibly busy and rewarding Michaelmas Term.
From a pop concert, to welcoming prep school pupils partaking in a ‘Strings Day’, through to Christmas carols at the race course as well as in our Chapel, staff and pupils have enjoyed taking part in a variety of performances.
In the last half of term we had the first Rock Concert of the year, with the usual high standard of performance that we have come to expect from these events. The dress rehearsal was the inevitable blend of stress and confusion, but the event came together in the end, and with a wide range of genres being performed, to deliver an entertaining night.
Songs ranged from Bruno Mars, to a jazz samba version of Kylie Minogue’s hit, Can’t get you out of my head. All participants, both onstage and off, should be congratulated, and special mentions made of all the members of the music department who organised the event. The next Rock Concert is not until after Christmas, but all pupils are invited to form bands and perform, as there are always people looking to play and take part.
Our Chapel was bursting with musical talent at our Michaelmas Vocal Concert, showcasing some fantastic performances: ‘This Nearly Was Mine’ from South Pacific by Eddie Kelsey; ‘When I Am Laid To Earth’ from Dido and Aeneas by Flora Davies; Caccini’s ‘Ave Maria’, performed by Freya Wiessler and ‘Art Is Calling Me’ from The Enchantress by Grace Albery.
As we approached the end of term, some festive cheer was added to an otherwise wintry day at Taunton Racecourse. Sporting their red King’s hats and scarves, members of the school choir and band entertained race-goers at the meeting with traditional carols. Pupils enjoyed the atmosphere that is unique to racing (this also included lots of hot chocolate and mince pies!).
Following the afternoon of singing at the races, our hugely talented school choir gave a thoroughly impressive performance the next evening as they led the packed congregation of staff, pupils and parents in the King’s Christmas Carol Service, a major event in the Taunton festive calendar. In a spine-tingling moment, the faint sound of Silent Night could be heard from the school corridor as the choir, candles in hand, made its way along the cloisters, the hauntingly beautiful music floating louder and louder into the dim and atmospheric Chapel.
The service of nine lessons and carols was both moving and thought-provoking, with a perfect balance of solo performances and whole-congregation participation. The evening was a festive end to a long, busy and successful Michaelmas Term, with everyone looking forward to some family time over the Christmas period.
Our musicians have also been involved in the school play, providing the band for our production of Twelfth Night. Many have played in our series of informal Octagon Concerts. They have played at year group parents’ supper and led the worship each week at the whole school Chapel service.
Many thanks to our musicians, singers and music department staff for their boundless enthusiasm, talent and creativity in delivering these outstanding musical events.
Pictured: Antonia Garton-Sprenger (photographer: Steve King)