Cabaret Concert 2011

Saturday 19th November brought the annual extravaganza which is Cabaret. 300 Diners filled the main hall, which had been transformed into a venue fit for the occasion. After all had taken their seats Mabel Calvert Verbruggen opened the proceedings by wandering between the tables whilst singing What good is sitting alone in your room, the opening of the song Cabaret from the musical of the same name. As the first course of Antipasti was consumed the Orchestra played the final movement of Mendelssohn Symphony No 5, under the baton of Mr Scamardella.

The String orchestra then played a selection from Saint Saen Carnival of the Animals. Three first year students each introduced a section by reading a poem about it which they had written, whilst members of the Legat entertained us. In The Introduction and March of the Royal Lion, the young Lion and his two supporters were lithe and athletic, and the four girls were appropriately flowing during the Aquarium. Three old ladies, complete with Zimmer frames then illustrated Fossils (Highly imaginative, great fun but surely not politically correct)

Sally-Ann Wild then brought the first section to a close with Gershwin’s S’wonderful in an arrangement by Roy Hilton. Her performance, the arrangement and the sensitive accompaniment by the orchestra fully lived up to the title of the song

Part two opened with the choir marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Freddie Mercury, by singing Bohemian Rhapsody, complete with rock band accompaniment. It was, quite simply, stunning. In complete contrast this was followed by a song in Hebrew Hatik-Va, sensitively accompanied by piano, clarinet and violin

The trio of Georgia Mae Ellis, Kirsty Sutherland and Josie McNamara gave us Amy Winehouse’s You know I’m no good with plenty of support from two saxophones.

A succession of amazingly talented students then bravely took to the stage for their solos. Olivia Prince-Smith gave us Who needs you in another Roy Hilton arrangement. Alice Auer told us of her affection for Taylor, the Latte boy in a song by Heisler and Goldrich, with Robert Scamardella on piano.

Georgia Mae Ellis performed Ewan Mc Coll’s The first time ever I saw your face, again arranged by Roy Hilton, followed by Sian Walsh with Rogers and Hammerstein’s great song from Carousel If I loved you.

The Jazz choir then brought this part of the evening to a close with Wait on the water and Nichols and Williams great hit for the Carpenter’s We’ve only just begun

The final part of the evening saw our noisier musicians take to the stage. The Jazz band opened up with Don’t get around much anymore, before Just Press Play gave us a self penned number. The Jazz Band then interspersed the remaining acts as the musical action switched between stages. The L6th BTEC Band then played Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain with its ending familiar to all motor racing enthusiasts

The U6th BTEC then played Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t worry, Be Happy with great panache, followed by Lee Sattin and
Knights house with Mayfield’s Hit the road Jack

The audience went home after a splendid evening which would not have been possible without the contributions of Mr Andrew Barclay and his musicians, Steve Hopkins and his technical team, Steve Hadland and the maintenance team, Chris Prescott and USM Audio, and Dave Mullis and his Holroyd Howe catering team.