The Music Department returned to the Barbican once again on Monday 19 March, with almost 500 boys performing to a sold out auditorium. It has become a regular tradition to visit one of Europe’s largest concert halls and the stage was certainly befitting of the quality of music that was produced.
Early arrivers were treated to a performance from our stunning Jazz Quintet in the foyer. Jazz has become such a strength of our school due in no small part to the energy and drive of our jazz staff: Thomas Taylor, Matthew Herd and Jon Ormston. The incredibly high standard of music making really set the tone for what was to be a truly magnificent evening.
The first half opened with the powerful Concert Band performing the complex Raider’s March by John Williams score. A robust and punchy opening, the brass were in full force as ever with a huge, full-bodied sound, complimented by some nimble and fluid runs from the woodwind section. The world record-breaking Largest Classical Guitar Orchestra in the world then took to the stage with some 96 players performing arrangements by our very own Ms Urszula Galuszka with the highlight being their rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. A wonderous sight to see so many boys performing together in what has become a real feature of the music department.
The entire Prep School conducted by Roxana Gozzard took to their feet next to produce a spell binding performance of the Sound of Music, complete with dancers and chamber choir. The quality of singing from the whole school was of the very highest standard, technically very polished and incredibly musical – a testament to the hard work of our prep music teacher, Miss Gozzard.
Big Band closed the half in emphatic style with one of their strongest performances from the School’s flagship ensemble. Opening with the Cole Porter tune Love for Sale, the tightness, punch and sheer volume of this ensemble needs to be heard live to be believed. Following this was a beautiful performance of Pat Metheny’s Minuano with a stunning solo from our lead saxophonist, Benjy Sandler. The rapturous applause brought about our first Barbican encore with an impromptu performance of Groove Merchant, sending parents, staff and boys into the half-time interval with a real spring in their step.
The second half was devoted to the Symphony Orchestra and Choir. The Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Director of Music Richard Osmond, started with a super performance of John Williams’ score for Superman before moving to the Copland’s Outdoor Overture and a wonderful trumpet solo from Joe Vaughan. It was then the choir’s turn to perform alongside our orchestra with a terrific performance of Handel’s Zadok the Priest, an opportunity for parents, staff and boys to join together in a memorable performance of this work. In true Habs style, the concert closed with a full performance of Jerusalem, with performers from all ensembles taking to the stage. A truly wonderful evening of music making and one of the finest school concerts in recent memory.
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 Co-Curricular, Andrew Simm for organising the event.
If you were unable to make it on the night and want to see who from the School performed, you can view an interactive version of the programme below:
