What a night it was at the St Cecilia’s Concert earlier this week. With twelve different ensembles performing and over 100 boys involved, it was a spectacular showcase of the talent and passion for music at Bedford School.
The evening kicked off with a bang as the Brass Ensemble, under the direction of Mr Matt Harrison, opened with Bergamasca. This lively Italian dance had everyone tapping their feet with its cheerful, repetitive bass line and spirited melodies. Next up was Send in the Clowns, featuring the flugelhorn with its rich, expressive harmonies.
Then came Thunderbrass, led by Mr Ed Neuhauser and Mr Matt Harrison, who brought the house down with their dynamic rendition of Aretha Franklin’s iconic Respect. The blend of soul, gospel and pop influences was simply electrifying. The Festival Band, directed by Mr Dominic Childs, took us on a journey with Blackwater, an evocative piece inspired by the serene beauty and lively energy of the River Blackwater.
The Rock Band, led by Mr Dimitrios Soukaras, had everyone grooving to What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club – a catchy tune with infectious rhythm and melody. The New Jazz Collective, directed by Mr Tom Syson, wowed us with Duke Ellington’s Caravan, a jazz standard with a Latin American twist, and Charlie Parker’s bebop classic Confirmation, featuring a stunning unison melody.
The Jazz Orchestra, also under Mr Syson’s direction, kept the energy high with Yes Please, an up-tempo swing piece with complex ensemble writing and fantastic improvised solos. They followed this with I Remember Clifford, a heartfelt tribute to trumpeter Clifford Brown, featuring a beautiful solo trumpet and rich ensemble voicings.
After the refreshments in the interval, the Concert Band, directed by Mr Dominic Childs, opened the second half with Call of the Clans, a dramatic and majestic piece that set the tone perfectly. The Segovia Guitar Ensemble, led by Mr David Merrin, brought a touch of Mexican flair with La Bamba, a lively folk song with rich guitar textures.
A special treat was the Close Harmony Group’s a cappella version of White Christmas, originally sung by Bing Crosby. Directed by Mr Keith Roberts, their performance was simply magical. The Orchestra of the Ouse, under Mr Joss Sanders, played Basse Danse, a charming folk tune shared between violins, characterised by small gliding steps.
The Chamber Orchestra, directed by Mr Bjorn Bantock and featuring talented guitar soloist Sam Cutler, performed Atom Hearts Club Suite No. 1, an eclectic suite inspired by 1970s rock, with both progressive and ballad-like movements. Finally, the Symphony Orchestra, also directed by Mr Bjorn Bantock, brought the concert to a dramatic close with the Independence Day End Credits, a powerful composition from the 1996 sci-fi film.
The concert ended to rapturous applause for this diverse and captivating showcase of our talented ensembles and orchestras – a wonderful way to end the autumn term.
