Pupils performed a diverse programme of music in the Ensembles Concert
25 January 2024
Wednesday evening is Recital evening in the Music Department and on 24th January, over 60 pupils and staff making up our Concert Band, Strings, Brass, Jazz, Percussion and Guitar Groups came together to perform a diverse programme of music. Brass Ensemble opened the concert with a 3-piece set including the popular theme from the film Rocky while Guitar Ensemble performed the classic Beatles’ number Day Tripper. The Strings Orchestra have been working hard on new repertoire this term and this evening performed both their contrasting pieces for the first time, the recognisable Prelude from Grieg’s Holberg Suite and the Theme from His Dark Materials, receiving deserved loud applause.
Benny S, Ferdinand vD, Timo F and Milan H aka the Jazz Band put on a fine performance of Comin’ Home Baby by Ben Tucker to take us into the interval.
Dr Limbrick teaches tuned percussion at Gresham’s when not pursuing a very busy professional international concert schedule himself. Our pupils performed his composition Mopti Street, named after a roundabout in a town in Ghana; and why not! Playing a variety of percussion instruments, such as marimba, vibraphone and xylophone, the 11 musicians showcased the flexibility of such instruments in this rhythmic, joyful, yet challenging piece.
After the interval, Concert Band entertained with a mostly new set from the 1980s, including some classic tunes such as God Only Knows, the music of James Bond and who doesn’t love a Boy Band medley with a dash of K-Pop thrown in! A fabulous finale to a great evening of music.
The standard of playing over the evening was testament to the practice our musicians make time for, during what is a very busy school week for them and thanks to our music staff who lead and support these pupils.
