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Friday 29 November marked the highly anticipated Advent Concert. This year’s programme featured a range of styles, from Brahms to Herbie Hancock, and almost everything in between!
Concert Band opened the evening with a medley from Beauty and the Beast before Sinfonia took to the stage with renditions of Pure Imagination and Shackelford Banks. Sinfonia have been joined by pupils from Lancing Prep Worthing this term, and it was wonderful to see students ranging from Year 4 to Upper Sixth enjoying making music together. Flute Ensemble then gave an energetic rendition of The Swing by Bill Holcombe, before Honk! gave a fun and festive performance of Niehaus’ Jazz Christmas Medley. Big Band finished the first half with a varied programme performing classic hits from Fly Me to the Moon to a Gloria Estefan medley.
A Cappella Club brought the spirit of the Eras Tour to Great School, opening the second half with You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift, before the Wind Quintet gave an expressive performance of O Holy Night. String Chamber Orchestra then gave a sublime performance of Concerto Grosso in G, Op.6 No.3 followed by Jenkins’ dramatic Palladio. The Symphony Orchestra then took to the stage featuring Elisabeth de Robert Hautequere, Upper Sixth as the soloist for the Rondo from Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No.1. Elisabeth performed with flair and panache and it was truly a performance to remember. This was followed by the Fourth Movement of Brahms’ First Symphony, before concluding with an exciting performance of Pirates of the Caribbean. This was a spectacular evening, showcasing the breadth of talent amongst Lancing’s musicians.
Isaac H, Fifth Form:
The Advent Concert this year was an absolute triumph for music making at Lancing. The eclectic variety of the programme showcased a broad range of talents, genres and ensembles. The blend of chamber ensembles and larger orchestras was nicely balanced, with specific highlights for me being playing a festive jazz medley in my first concert with Honk! and Elisabeth’s stylish and well-poised rondo from the Weber Clarinet Concerto accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra – a great soloist opportunity which was very nicely performed. The concert drew together the whole College community including all the regular ensemble players with the addition of some Lancing Prep pupils and many supporting families and friends.
Grace S, Upper Sixth:
I absolutely loved leading the String Chamber Orchestra in the Advent Concert this year. The atmosphere was thrilling and I really enjoyed getting to play the concertante first violin part of the Corelli, as well as playing Palladio again after many years! I’m sad that this was my final Advent Concert at Lancing but I know next year’s concert will be filled with just as much joy and talent as I have experienced throughout my time here!
Elisabeth RH, Upper Sixth
Playing Weber’s 1st Concerto 3rd Movement with the orchestra was such a thrilling experience. Even though I was nervous before going on stage, when I started playing, I grew in confidence and immersed myself with the music. All the hours of practice that went into this paid off.