Parents and friends of the School were treated to two Christmas musical feasts at our annual ‘Piazza Brass’ Concerts at Byron House and Senior House. Our brass players were also joined this year by many of our other talented young musicians to get the crowd into the festive spirit.
Director of Music, Mr Simon Kirk, explained, “A large audience huddled together in the Senior House Piazza on a beautifully crisp and still winter's day to listen to seasonal music performed by brass and percussion pupils from Byron House and Senior House. Afterwards, the Big Band and Rednotes Jazz Ensemble entertained us in the Hinsley Hall. The children's delight in their music-making and transporting us to Christmas was evident throughout.”
The large audience of pupils and parents was thrilled by the quality of playing and singing of such favourite arrangements as O Come, All Ye Faithful, Hymn to the Fallen (from Saving Private Ryan), Byron House Boogie, Jingle Bells and Hark, the Herald-Angels Sing by the brass players, Rockin' with Frosty and Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) by The Big Band and Rednotes Jazz Ensemble’s Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel, arr Lepage-Dean).
Many of the so-called 'minority' instruments were on show, such as French horn, trombone, oboe, bass clarinet, bassoon and double bass. One of the performers commented, “Most people who played a brass instrument had the chance to perform in front of a large audience. It was great to hear a range of festive songs from the different musical ensembles.”
