St Edmund's
One of our key school values is excellence.
On Thursday night at Canterbury Cathedral, we saw and heard what that means.
I am referring to the annual Gala Concert.
It was a truly spectacular event.
Mr. Payne and his team excelled themselves, producing an evening of extraordinary musical accomplishment.
We were treated to a rich variety of musical presentations. The Symphony Orchestra offered us the Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia from Spartacus Suite No. 2 by Khachaturian. It was a spectacular opener.
Our Sixth Form musicians—Henry, Thea, Olivia, Ash, Thomas Y, Thomas DB, James, Frederick, and Arthur—then led the way and delivered outstanding performances that captivated the audience with their exceptional instrumental and vocal talents. Trombone, piano, and bassoon solos were followed by the Flower Duet from Lakmé on flutes, a spectacular clarinet recital, percussion and vibraphone solos, and a fine vocal performance of Time to Say Goodbye by Sartori.
I particularly enjoyed Arthur Underwood’s original composition, Aurum, which was performed superbly by the Chamber Choir, led by Dr. Rowcroft. The choir also gave an emotional performance of Shall We Gather at the River by Melody Robert Lowry.
The second half of the concert brought together a variety of choirs to perform Haydn’s Nelson Mass.
It was wonderful to see St. Edmund’s pupils, parents, and staff performing superbly alongside the representative choirs of Northbourne Park School, Spring Grove, and St. Faith’s.
I spoke to parents after the concert, and they were absolutely blown away by the quality of what they had just witnessed.
One simply said, “It was incredible.”
I echo that sentiment.
I have said before that our small school is bigger on the inside when it comes to music.
And even seasoned members of staff and governors could not remember a concert of better quality and variety than Thursday night.
I would like to thank everyone involved: our soloists; the Music Department staff—Dr. Rowcroft, Mr. Swatman, Mr. Underwood, and Mrs. Walker; and everyone who participated in the evening, either by singing or playing in the orchestra.
The cathedral is a spectacular venue but also an intimidating one, and it takes real courage to stand up and play or sing in front of five hundred people.
But everyone performed brilliantly, and I am extremely proud of what was delivered.
I would also like to thank the prefects and school staff who managed the doors, seating, and other logistical arrangements, in particular Mr. Hodge, who oversaw this aspect of the evening.
These events are a massive team effort.
Finally, I would like to thank, sincerely, Mr. Payne, whose energy and vision, alongside his peerless technical and organisational skills, produced a truly outstanding evening—one that will be long remembered by those who attended.
It was truly St. Edmund’s at its best.
Ed O’Connor
Head
