It’s the middle of the afternoon and the full orchestra of over 100 prep school musicians has just assembled for a full run-through in Wellington College’s G. W. Annenberg Performing Arts Centre. The view from the back of the horn section where I’m sandwiched between the brass and percussion sections is hugely impressive. What’s more impressive is the massed group of children in front of me, replete with ranks of violins, a multitude of cellos, trumpets, trombones, flutes, clarinets, a smattering of oboes, French horns (66% from Farleigh) and even a bassoon and two tubas!

The day was spent in a mixture of instrumental rehearsals; wind, brass and string sectionals; and full rehearsals, each led by an expert from Wellington College’s music department. These rehearsals were spent learning three pieces never before seen by the children in these arrangements - the James Bond Theme, Jupiter from Holst’s Planets Suite and Anunciação, a Brazilian Samba-inspired piece.

It’s amazing what can be achieved in these intensive days of music making which always culminate in a short concert. This one was expertly conducted by Natalia Luis-Bassa, who conducts the Wellington Symphony Orchestra and is Professor of Conducting at the Royal College of Music. The confidence the children gain in their playing and performing is immeasurable and the experience certainly helps when they play in their regular ensembles. This is the first time we’ve been able to combine with other schools since 2019 and it was certainly a joyous reunion; the final piece in the musical jigsaw of normality.

Our thanks to Simon Williamson and his team in the Music Department at Wellington College, and my thanks to Teresa Henderson and my music colleagues back at Farleigh for facilitating the children’s participation. 

Marcus Reeves, Director of Music