Gala Concert 2016 at Barbican Hall

On Monday 1 February, over 500 boys from Haberdashers’ made the journey into the City of London to perform in the School’s 2016 Gala Concert at the sold out Barbican Hall. These visits to the Barbican are a much-loved tradition amongst the boys, parents, staff and friends of the School and the performance on Monday amply proved why this should be so.

Six ensembles performed during the evening. The first half commenced with the Concert Band performing film scores by John Williams, including pieces from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the theme to Saving Private Ryan, showcasing the sheer power of the brass section. The Guitar Orchestra followed with stunning renditions of Karl Jenkins’  Palladio and  Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, directed by resident guitar tutor, Urszula Galuszka  (whose passionate leadership spurred Compere for the evening, Tom Eyre-Maunsell, to refer to her aptly as a “force of nature”). 

The entire Prep School conducted by Roxana Gozzard performed a heart-warming ABBA medley, complete with live band and 40 professionally choreographed dancers; while the Big Band, conducted by Andy Simm, finished off the first half with the theme from Rocky and an arrangement of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

The second half was devoted to the Symphony Orchestra and Choir. The Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Director of Music Christopher Muhley, started with Dvorak’s Carnival Overture and Suite No.1 from Bizet’s Carmen exhibiting thee versatility and depth of the ensemble and individual talents of the instrumental soloists. These were followed by movements from Rutter’s Feel the Spirit for Choir and Orchestra, with guest soloist Alison Kettlewell, conducted by Claire Cousens. The concert finished with rousing renditions of Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1 and  Land of Hope and Glory, complete with red, white and blue flags, Union Jack bowler hats and streamers, and the School’s chosen anthem Jerusalem, before a standing ovation from the audience.

Thanks must go to all the boys, staff and parents who have worked so tirelessly over the last few months in preparing for this concert and particularly to the Director of Music, Christopher Muhley. At the end of this academic year Mr Muhley will retire from the School after many years at the forefront of its musical life. 

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