2020 has brought a newly creative approach to events in the Music School, as live streaming and recording are the order of the day, and everyone has become accustomed to being either in front of, or behind a camera. After a string of popular live-streamed informal concerts held throughout the term, it was time to take on the big one, the American themed St Cecilia Concert 2020! At least this term, unlike for the virtual Summer Soirée, the children are in school!

What is normally a long day of rehearsals, before the big night held in the full-to-bursting Sports Hall, became the main event last Friday. The Recital Hall had been transformed into a venue fit for a presidential campaign trail, bedecked with flags, bunting and lights, the theme chosen due to this year's US elections, and 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.

Ensembles turned up throughout the day at their scheduled times and patiently played their sets whilst being filmed from all angles in several takes. The children rose to the occasion, as ever, and the bar has been lifted to new heights. Viewers may miss the ensembles' adrenaline-fuelled live performances, but they have a much better chance of hearing the high quality of the music this year!

Post event, Mr Reeves is now busy using his well-honed editing skills to create a superior production in which viewers will be treated to a fabulous variety of music, played by all the school ensembles. There is something for everyone, from instantly recognisable favourites, such as themes from The Magnificent Seven, played by Highly Strung and Concert Band, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, played by the Guitar Ensemble, to traditional tunes such as Oh When the Saints, played by the acoustic/electric guitar group Pick Perfect, and Short'nin' Bread, a plantation song, played by the Recorder Ensemble.

Brass Works presented classical and harmonious renditions of Dvorak's New World Symphony and Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, whilst the rock bands gave us a flavour of some true rock classics; Born to Run played by Rock Band and American Idiot performed by Junior Rock Academy, an apt choice this year! 

The singers' programme struck a more patriotic tone, with a delightful excerpt from Oklahoma sung by the Junior Choir, comprising all of Year 3 and Year 4 - complete with fabulously choreographed actions, and Good Morning Baltimore sung by the Senior Choir. Stars and stripes were certainly in the minds of the Close Harmony Groups as they performed Ghost Riders, Kids in America and Don't Stop Believin.

St Cecillia would not be complete without its jazz element! Green Shoots playing some glorious Gershwin, Five Foot Six playing the toe tapping Tishimingo Blues, and Thundering Herd rounding off with Herman Hupfield’s As Time Goes By (recorded by Fats Waller).

Thank you so much to everyone who made the day possible, the teachers running the ensembles, the tireless film crew (Mr Reeves) and to all the children of course!

Those of us working in the Music Department have the great joy and privilege of witnessing live performances and seeing the children come alive in their music-making. We are tremendously grateful for all the support you have given us in your absence, which is deeply felt, and are waiting with great impatience and excitement for the day that we can open our doors and welcome parents into the Music School again.

Teresa Henderson

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