With the beginning of freezing February underway, it will come to no surprise that Waldegrave school took the opportunity to bring some warmth to the stage with their spectacular acoustic café, run for the very first time by the head of music: Ms Obrien. Set up with adorned table cloths and candles, the atmosphere stayed relaxing and appetising, despite the raw energy blasting from the performers that could take your breath away. Served with various drinks and nachos, the audience could really settle down for an hour and a half from the walk-in music to the chamber choir finale; the music ranging from ukulele collaborations to solo performances on guitars; it was a night to remember.
Weixen How, one of the ‘walk-in’ performers of the evening, explained her own experience to be ‘enchanting’ as she watched the rest of the concert after her own performance.
‘Even though I had already seen the entire concert in rehearsal it, it was more ‘pumped up’ the second time. There was a more energetic and bubbly feel to the hall that made each performance more emotional somehow.’
When asked whether she would consider performing in the next concert, Weixen said: ‘We had to do a lot of practice to make it interesting but it was a really fun experience and I probably would consider doing another performance during the concert sometime soon.’
After the concert, Ms Obrien announced, to the whole audience, her gratitude towards the performers and the teachers who made the night possible, while also stated that ‘I could never wish to be in any other school with this much talent and I love working with them. It has taken so much effort, from the staff and students, to get where they are now and it has definitely been worth it.’
With Performances from the year ten choir and soloists, from a range other years, the students recreated their favourite songs to fit their interpretation, such as the heart-warming tribute to Leonard Cohen by an extraordinary soloist from year eleven, and the adaptation of ‘Black to Black’ by Amy Winehouse sung by Melody Hills and Rebecca Aubrey from year ten.
One particular moment to remember was the grand finale of the chamber choir, with students from all year’s, harmonising ‘When I grow up’ from ‘Matilda the Musical’ closing the night off with intensity. Some members of the audience expressed their own appreciation of the performances after the event.
‘I was so surprised with the amount of talent they all have. It was a real tear-jerker of a night.’
‘Amazing. Some of those singers’ voices really hit the heart.’
‘It was a great night. My whole family really enjoyed it. I am so proud of what my daughter has managed to achieve over the last few weeks.’
It was truly a brilliant evening that has, yet again, exceeded expectations set by Waldegrave School that has not only been a great opportunity for the performers, but for the audience to see what the students can really do. We cannot help but build upon that rising anticipation for the next one.
Harriet Scott, Waldegrave School
