Writes Samuel Hill, Music Administrator
It’s a simple truth that singing brings people together, and this year’s Joint Schools’ Choral Concert was a glorious celebration of music-making and shared community.
In the first half, choirs from each of the participating schools — Merchant Taylors’, St Helen’s, Merchant Taylors’ Prep, St Helen’s Prep, and St John’s Schools — combined to perform a rich mix of songs from a wide range of different musical styles. The concert opened with the foot-tapping Rhythm of Life, sung by the combined Chamber Choirs of Merchant Taylors’ and St Helen’s Schools, numbering over eighty singers. Joined by Jonah G. (U6ths) on the cajón, the choirs then sang Reena Ismail’s TaReKiTa, and did so from memory, bringing the already vibrant work to life.
Under the direction of Emily Felix and Barry Hopwood, the combined choirs of all the prep schools took to the stage to sing two heart-warming songs, first When I grow up from Matilda, and afterwards Learning to be Me, by Ian Crawford.
The specially formed Vocal Consort, which performed next, comprised a small number of singers from Merchant Taylors’ and St Helen’s. Together they sang On My Own from Les Misérables, before singing Billy Joel’s ever popular And So It Goes in an arrangement by Bob Chilcott OMT.
To round off the first half of the concert, the combined choirs of all the schools gathered to sing two songs: Adele’s Easy on Me and Stephen Sondheim’s reflective Sunday from Sunday in the Park with George.
After the interval, the schools’ choirs were joined by members of our wider community; parents, staff, and friends; to perform Mozart’s Requiem. We were fortunate to be joined by four professional soloists: soprano Ellie Donald, Mezzo-Soprano Charlotte Clapperton, Tenor Joseph Hancock, and Baritone Harrison Robb OMT. The choir, which numbered around 250, distinguished itself in giving a fine performance. It was a memorable experience for all involved to join in singing the Requiem, one of the mainstays of the choral repertoire.
Grateful thanks must be paid to the music departments of all the schools involved, and especially to Ian Crawford, Assistant Director of Music at Merchant Taylors’. We look forward to our next concert, which will be held at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall on Monday 27th April. Tickets may be reserved using the button below.
