12 May 2017
The remarkable range and depth of musical talent fostered by the Music Department was showcased at the Kirkham Grammar School Spring Concert last Thursday evening.
With prominent roles for the many Upper Sixth A-Level musicians for whom this was their final official appearance in a school concert, the audience was treated to a range of styles of music by soloists and ensembles.
Solo items by Upper Sixth Leavers came from Hannah Fingleton, who performed Cesar Franck’s Violin Sonata in A Major as well as her parts on flute, saxophone, violin and voice in various ensembles; Joanna Bako singing Danny Boy; Robbie Ellis with Seafret’s Skimming Stones on guitar and vocal; and Freya Bennett with the Third Movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto on flute. All of these Upper Sixth students excelled, reminding us how much they will be missed next year, and they and their year group colleagues in the various choirs and ensembles also reminded us of the annual challenge of replacing talented and dedicated students as they leave to continue their careers at university and beyond.
However, talented Lower Sixth musicians Lydia Lythgoe, singing Gurney’s Spring, James Nash with Charlier’s Solo de Concours on trumpet and Molly Andrews singing Hahn’s A Chloris provided a reassuring reminder that they will step up next year to lead KGS music’s sustained excellence.
The Orchestra, String Group, Choir, Concert Band, Flute Group and Swing Band also entertained in a variety of styles ranging from Tchaikovsky to Gounod, from Pitoni to Fauré, whilst readings from our LAMDA students provided a pleasing and appropriate contrast to the music.
Outgoing Secretary of the Music Society, Upper Sixth student Hannah Fingleton spoke on behalf of all in her vote of thanks when she said how much she had enjoyed and benefitted from music throughout her years at the School, and how much she and her colleagues would miss taking part in these concerts.
Meanwhile the quality and maturity of performance by younger musicians, confirmed that the future of music at KGS is indeed very bright, and we look forward to their performances in future years.
