The IB Choir impressed with the 30-strong group following on with Christmas Cantata and then inviting the audience once again to join in with O Little Town of Bethlehem.
The Carol Concert is the culmination of the ambitious work that has been done by our school choirs during Term 1, where they have been challenged with quite complex harmonies. This was very evident when the youngest singers, the Rainbow Review, took to the stage to sing Away in a Manger, followed by We’re Walking in the Air which Mr Phillip Bailey, Director of Music, the choir’s conductor and MC for the night, informed the audience is a ABRSM examination piece. With great enthusiasm and obvious joy, the students from Years 1 and 2 delighted the crowd with their polished and confident performance.
Our Community Choir, made up of parents, school teachers and staff, donned their distinctive red scarves for their performance of the traditional Coventry Carol, then Bethlehem Spiritual, and finally, joined by the wonderful visiting brass band, a stirring rendition of In the Bleak Midwinter. Two very talented teachers, Anna Jeffery and Kevin Crozier, sang solos.
Finally, it was the turn of the Key Stage 2 Choir to take to the stage, firstly singing another ABRSM examination piece, Angels Carol, and then joined by the IB Choir to sing Silent Night in 4-part harmony. The combination was truly stunning, both to see and to hear, and the combined choir received a huge ovation.
The audience joined in for some more group carols, by now their voices well warmed up, and then all of the choirs combined made an impressive sight on the stage as they sang a final favourite, We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
It was truly a night of memorable performances led by Mr Phillip Bailey, Mrs Louisa Bailey and Mr Bevan Graham from the Music Department. Congratulations to all of the choirs! To see more photos, please go to our Facebook page.