A student-led choir reaches new heights in a memorable performance at Our Lady of the Assumption, Warwick Street

What began in 2023 as a small barbershop quartet has, in just three years, evolved into one of the school’s most inspiring student led musical ensembles. The choir, founded and directed entirely by students, with Nathan (U6R1) at the helm, has doubled in size year on year, growing from four singers to the seventeen voice group performing in the Our Lady of the Assumption, Warwick Street, recital.

Several works in the programme paid tribute to the ensemble’s history and evolution. The Longest Time nodded to their barbershop beginnings, while Lacrymosa recalled the group’s first year as a larger choir, marked by a memorable performance at LSO St Luke’s. Their rendition of Locus Iste connected to last year’s ambitious performance of Bruckner’s Te Deum at Habs, highlighting the group’s expanding repertoire and artistic confidence.

For the Nathan who has guided the choir since its inception, this concert carried particular significance. Reflecting on four years of growth, collaboration and creativity, he described the ensemble as the highlight of my school experience, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the singers who humoured my ambition and marking the evening as their final performance with the group.

This first full-length concert was far more than a showcase of musical skill; it was a celebration of community, leadership and student initiative. The recital ranged from Bernstein and Mozart to songs from Wicked, creating a vibrant and varied programme that highlighted both the choir’s versatility and the personalities within it.

One of the most touching moments of the evening came when a Year 8 student stepped forward to deliver a key solo, supported with warmth, encouragement and genuine camaraderie by older members of the ensemble. It was a powerful reminder of the way music at Habs brings students together across year groups, building friendships and shared memories.

For staff, the concert represented one of the proudest moments of the term: watching students not only perform beautifully but take full ownership of the music-making process from start to finish. The independence, organisation and artistry on display were remarkable and the generosity with which the students shared their music resonated strongly with the audience.

The evening will undoubtedly live long in the memory, a fitting milestone for a choir that has grown from a small idea into a thriving, student-powered musical force.