Concert dress on, instruments tuned, lights ready to go - Reigate Grammar School’s concert at Leatherhead Theatre on the 25th October was set to be a spectacle.
With rehearsals underway throughout the school day, students had the pleasure of rehearsing in the venue before the concert, whilst also being able to listen to other ensembles practise during breaks.
Walking through the foyer, the atmosphere was ecstatic – the chatter and laughter from parents, the hustle-and-bustle from performers rushing to get backstage, the excitement as the audience entered the auditorium.
The show was kick-started by the opening performance of Concert Band, with a fusion of pieces from A Star Is Born and Brave, reiterating the beautiful music that is often ignored in movies.
Gorilla Man Blues and Bebop ‘n’ Georgia, performed by Swing band, were both vibrant, catchy jazz pieces which fully captivated the audience, with the saxophonists each having an exhilarating solo, raised the roof of the auditorium.
And after the brief interval, Sinfonia opened the second half with their rendition of Viva La Vida and the Overture from William Tell, whose energy was matched by Swing Band 2’s mix of dance tunes from the infamous Earth, Wind and FireI, as well as an arrangement of Fever, almost 70 years on from its original debut.
Then the repertoire proceeded to the “top of the pops” as the night continued; Junior Polyphony stunned with Vogue by Madonna, dressed up glamorously in heart-shaped glasses and flower necklaces, igniting nostalgia in the audience.
Taylor Swift’s Blank Space was sung by Girl’s Choir, a bold anthem to which neither the audience nor the performers backstage could stop themselves from singing along to.
Symphony Orchestra provided the accompaniment to the 3rd movement of Strauss’ Horn Concerto in C minor, which was performed and conducted by a pair of best friends in upper sixth.
And to wrap up the show, Symphony Orchestra’s performance of A Salute To Cole Porter was a sensation, making sure the audience would be left yearning for their next concert.
