Hitting the right note

The Informal Concert, just before half-term, produced a real mixture of classical and modernity and proved a splendid platform for the young musicians to showcase their talent.

The Senior Choir opened and closed the evening with Hand in Hand and Chim Chim Cher-ee and several soloists demonstrated their ability to tackle complex songs. Charlie Carr had us all smiling with his Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, whilst Georgina Ellis and Annabel Martirossian both moved us with their respective renditions of Where E'er You Walk and Dream a Little Dream of Me.

Solo musicians all gave outstanding performances: Chloe Durrant and Alex Griffiths on piano, Ryan Packham and Emma Butler-Way on clarinet, Stephen Burchett on cello. But the highest accolade of the evening has to go to Hannah Falcone both for her Buskin on violin and Kabalevsky's Sonatina on piano.

An extra highlight was the inclusion in the programme of two of the instrumentals from Inter Section Music, held a few days before. Band Eagle, comprising Will Hatfield, Sammy Oyemade, Jeffrey Parry and the splendid Mr Brewer, gave us a really rousing version of O When the Saints whilst Band Hawk, comprising Will Ross, Ed Foster, Lloyd Heathfield and James Baldwin treated us to a real foot-stomping Knocking on Heaven's Door.