On Thursday 4 May, Snape Maltings welcomed crowds of Ipswich School pupils and parents to a celebration of music and performance. Students from all year groups took part in this highly anticipated Spring Concert.
A fanfare for brass and percussion, which was written especially for the event by Year 13 student Alfred H, opened the concert. Fittingly, given the date which is also known as Star Wars Day, this was followed by a Star Wars medley featuring over 100 pupils on stage as the joint orchestra, conducted by Mr Wren and his great assortment of lightsaber batons.
After lovely performances from the Symphony Orchestra, Prep Choir, Prep Orchestra, and Show Choir, the first half finished by the Chamber Orchestra, playing Vivaldi’s Summer, which included a beautiful violin solo from Asmee M in Year 13.
After the interval, the Chapel Choir took the audience by surprise, as they emerged through the auditorium, singing and stamping their feet to an arrangement of St Nicholas by the choir director Mr Ellis-Peckham.
Throughout the second half, many talented Sixth Formers performed solos – Charlotte C sang with the Chamber Orchestra, Luca G-J performed a saxophone solo with the Big Band, while Sam F-C sang the Elvis number ‘Trouble’ with the Big Band, all commemorating their last year at Ipswich School.
The big finale involved all musical groups as well as a few feather boas, in a rendition of The Greatest Showman’s ‘From Now On’.
Well done to all the musicians, and the team from the Britten Faculty of Music for a great evening. All we can hope for now is that next year’s Snape will be just as amazing as this year!
Alice C and Emily H, Year 12
