In the Autumn term our Pupils’ Informal Concerts kicked off the year in style and since then we have been treated to performances from beginners to advanced musicians on a wide variety of instruments, presenting music from classical to rock and everything in between.
Making music together and performing for an audience is such a joy for all involved and many thanks to all the parents who have been to one of these concerts so far this year.
In November, Year 5 impressed their audience in the Hammond Theatre, when they presented an Evening of Shakespeare. Building on their work in Drama lessons, the boys worked in small groups to present scenes from the Bard’s greatest plays. Though the scenes were presented as modern translations, the boys also had to learn quotes taken directly from the originals. They performed with great understanding and style, taking us from terror to laughter with ease. This term, for their last production at Hampton Prep, our oldest pupils took on the Scottish play! This was a modern version of Macbeth, with added songs to give it a 1920s feel, in honour of our Centenary. I was extremely proud of the whole cast and will miss them tremendously next year.
In December pupils from the Kindergarten to Year 6 were able to perform with festive glee. For their first ever production, Kindergarten pupils entertained their parents with their performance in Our Very Own Nativity. Next up were the children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in their production of A Christmas Recipe and members of our choir were able to spare some time out of a weekend in December, to sing carols and Christmas songs for the guests at the Hampton and LEH Senior Citizen’s Tea Party. To round off the season, the Prep gathered in St Mary’s Church for our annual Carol Service.
Throughout the year, pupils of all ages have been taking their graded music exams and have been 100% successful in this endeavour. I am hugely grateful to our visiting music teachers for all that they do to prepare our students for these exams and our concerts.
In March, Years 3 and 4 took centre stage for our Centenary production of Bugsy Malone and finishing off the term, we had our Parents’ Music Recital. This was an opportunity for some of our staff, visiting Music teachers and some very brave parents to show the boys that a love of music and performing can last your whole life through.
I am looking forward to our two Year 4 & Year 5 LAMDA Showcases straight after half term. We are also busy preparing for our final two concerts, the Pre-Prep Summer Concert and our Prep School Summer Proms. We do hope that you will join us at these events, to watch your fantastic children finish with a flourish and a song!