Band and Big Band Concert

On Friday 6 May, the Band and Big Band treated a live audience to an evening of music ranging from overtures and marches to big band classics and show tunes. The concert opened with a fanfare in honour of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

A fantastic tuba solo (Tuba Smarties) was performed by Deputy Head of Band Grace Gardiner (in her best fancy dress!). The Big Band performed a selection of pieces in the second half, including Glenn Miller's iconic 'In The Mood'. Several pupils performed as soloists during the concert: Leila G and Oliver C dueted (tenor saxophone and trumpet) on former pupil and RM Bandmaster Simon Tripp’s arrangement of 'Come What May'; Poppy L sang a spine-tingling rendition of 'Skyfall'; and Carrie B delighted listeners with her soprano tones in 'Rule, Britannia' and 'Land of Hope and Glory'.

Other soloists included Muiris C-T (trumpet), Head of Band Emma C (piccolo) and Jack E (saxophone). The evening concluded with music from the Sunset Ceremony, with Head of Flag Ed R providing all the bugle calls, bringing a brilliant evening of music to an end. 

RHS's first female bandmaster, Lizzie Merrell (recently returned from maternity leave), had the Band performing on top form. As a former Royal Marines musician, she is no stranger to high standards of musicianship and discipline, and Friday night's concert was a great display of our pupils’ talents.  

The outgoing Head of Band, Emma C, said, “the concert was a fantastic display of all the dedication from the band and Bandmaster Merrell’s hard work to make it such a success. They should all be very proud of what they have achieved, and it has been a privilege to be Head of Band this year.”