On Saturday 7 March, all four choirs from the Junior School performed in the choral section of Woodley Festival of Music and Arts. The day started with our Preparatory Choir ‘Cantilena’ singing in the Infant Class. After weeks of preparation, our youngest pupils rose to the occasion like professionals, walking on to the stage proudly and following Miss Wallis’ direction beautifully as they performed the songs, When You Come to the End of a Lollipop and We’re Detectives, in which their opening pose drew excited gasps from the audience. The adjudicator, Charlie Penn, praised the choir for their lovely sound (which was to become the theme of the day whenever he heard The Abbey choirs sing) and their clear articulation. They were thrilled to then be awarded first place, a gold medal and the Star Trophy.
Kensington Choir were next to perform in the Lower Junior Class, under the skilful direction of Mrs Adams, giving a captivating performance of Song of the Prairie and Busy, Busy, Bumblebee. They were praised for their lovely sound and balanced two-part singing, which earned them first place, a gold medal and the Forley Trophy.
Success continued in the first of the Upper Junior Classes where Chamber Choir were also awarded first place, another gold medal and The John Keane Trophy. The choir were complimented on their assured performance, well blended voices and confidently centred sound during their performances of Walk On and Clap Your Hands, in which they performed with great concentration to interweave the vocal and clapping parts.
The final choir of the day was our largest, Somerleaze Singers. They sang On an Eagle’s Wing and Feel Good, impressing the adjudicator who praised them for their ‘quality singing’. He commented on how well they communicated with the audience, their control during the unaccompanied section and once again, a lovely sound. Their engaging performance earned them first place, the fourth gold medal of the day and The John Keane Cup.
It was a wonderful day, with every choir delivering memorable performances and we are incredibly proud of them. Thank you to all of the staff and parents who supported the choirs on the day.
