Music has been truly alive and well throughout the term and our students have performed both in school and out of school, to whole school communities and members of the public, with professional musicians and with others across the school.
As soon as students returned to school in September, House Captains started preparations for our first ever House Music event. Featuring both a soloist and a whole house number, Quant deserve huge congratulations for winning both categories this year.
Our brand-new Swing Band showcased the standard ‘Satin Doll’ at our October Atrium Beatz, alongside our recently established Vox Choir performing some Coldplay.
The first half of the term also saw our Year 7 Extravaganza, where each class prepared and performed a class item, and then enjoyed an opportunity to perform with a number of our peripatetic teachers. 7Q certainly brought their best game with their rendition of Jessie J’s ‘Price Tag’!
Following the autumn half term, we had our first termly Scholars’ Concert swiftly followed by a departmental trip to St Paul’s Cathedral to see John Rutter conduct the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing his beautiful Requiem. Our Christmas season was then soon upon us with our music scholars busking at the FoSWPS Christmas Fair, bringing their sparkle and festive cheer to all!
The last week has seen our Christmas Concert, which had much audience participation in the final piece from the Symphony Orchestra; Merry Christmas, Everyone! by Shakin’ Stevens, and our more traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Peter’s Church in Chertsey a few days later. Our service started by candlelight with an extraordinary solo from Jorja in Year 9 of the opening of Once in Royal David’s City. The Festival saw a wonderful collaboration between our Vox Choir and the SWPS Community Choir, welcoming those with a connection to SWPS (families, teachers and support staff) to sing two items in the service.
I have no doubt that our students feel pride and joy when reflecting upon their performances over this term. They have been a committed and conscientious group of students, and I wish them a well-deserved rest over the Christmas break. It has been a privilege to work with each and every one of them.
Sophie Robertshaw – Director of Music
