On the 6th of July we held our annual summer concert at St James Church Derker where musicians across all year groups came together to perform and celebrate the end of another successful musical year. There were performances from the Senior Wind Band, Guitar Group, Brass Ensemble, Senior Choir, Senior Orchestra and the Brass Band who had qualified to play at the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham on the next morning.
Through the evening there were solo performances from sixth formers Emily Wong of Year 13, on saxophone, playing ‘Lamplight’ by Ned Bennett and Anuszka Wrigley of Year 12, on trumpet, playing ‘Andante’ from Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto. Both students played very well and got a much deserved applause. The Senior Orchestra’s performance of a selection from Camille Saint-Saëns’ ‘Carnival of the Animals’ also allowed a number of solos from main school students including Emily Collins on the euphonium in ‘The Swan’. A student run group made their debut performance this evening too: the Flute Quintet. Abigail Bailey, Rebecca Gibson, Lydia Leach, Kate Mawdsley and Alex Robinson played the 2nd movement of Concerto for 5 Flutes in G major, Allegro Boismortier beautifully, earning a great applause.
Sadly we had to say goodbye to our Year 13 students Christina Dawson, Monica Hughes, Hannah Sinclair, Will Wilson and Emily Wong who have dedicated 7 years to the music of the school in the choirs and bands and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours. The night was a great success with great performances all round and it all wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing work of our Director of Music, Mrs Nixon, and Miss Warburton who have dedicated so much of their time to help students create wonderful music. Also a special thank you also to the staff of Oldham Music service: Mr Meaden, Mr Leedale, Mr Housley and Mrs Meaden for conducting the senior wind and brass bands and the guitar group.
