Last month, St John's College Choir hosted its first ever 'Cushion Concert' conducted by Director of Music, Mr Christopher Gray in the serene surroundings of the College Chapel. The free family-friendly concert included performances of engaging classical and crossover pop classics from Purcell's Sound the Trumpet to Gary Barlow's Sing, as well as the beautiful folk song, Shenandoah. The concert had a relaxed feel as families and children were encouraged to bring a cushion to sit right up at the front to enjoy the performance.
The Head Choristers all sang solos, including: Quia respexit (Bach), O Waly Waly (Britten), Down by the Salley Gardens (Benjamin Britten) and Panis angelicus (Franck) . Another highlight was the rousing organ duet of Thunderbirds! The last song was number 1 in the charts in 2012, was written by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee - Sing. At the end of the concert, children had the opportunity to spend 15 minutes learning a Gospel Medley together with the choristers.
"It was the first time we (the Choristers and Choir) had ever done a cushion concert. It was exciting to see how many children were sitting in front of the choir. We had some lovely music but the bit I thought was the most fun was the end when Mr Gray invited all the children there to come and join us - we all learnt some songs together in small groups that combined to a three part piece."
