Students at Ellesmere College have been raising their voices and lifting the winter gloom for appreciative audiences with a series of high profile concerts.
The school has held its house singing competition, took part in the Barnardo’s National Choir Finals and the Oswestry Youth Music Festival, hosted a Beating the Blues event – raising more than £500 for charity, and staged its Midwinter Concert, which included a moving tribute to former head Brendan Wignall who died last year.
Tony Coupe, Director of Music, said: “Ellesmere College has a great reputation for our music programmes – we are heavily involved in concerts and competitions throughout the year and have been particularly busy recently, taking part in some big competitions.
“We have all had so much fun and it is wonderful to see so many children taking part and trying their best. I have seen the groups build trust with one another from rehearsals and it has led to confident and convincing performances on so many occasions recently.
“Huge congratulations to our students on their dedication, passion, and musical excellence – they are very proud of themselves, having worked hard, prepared well and felt able to deliver a brilliant performance under pressure, they have many wonderful memories for years to come!”
The Ellesmere College Chamber Choir was one of 14 to take part in the senior class of the Barnardo’s National Choir Finals held at Symphony Hall in Birmingham. They performed Poor Wayfaring Stranger and My Spirit Sang All Day. Amongst the adjudicators was Karen Gibson, Director of The Kingdom Choir, who provided the music for Prince Harry’s wedding.
The Barnardo’s National Choir Competition is the largest schools and community choir event in the UK, celebrating outstanding young voices while raising funds to support children and young people in need.
This followed a successful Oswestry Youth Music Festival where over 100 Ellesmere College musicians took part over five days of competition, singing, playing and performing in ensembles and choirs.
“The College also hosted Beating the Blues in late January when youth rock bands from across Shropshire came together,” Mr Coupe added.
“The concert raised £540 for Shropshire Mental Health Support and it was a really exciting moment for the county with so many young people from the age of eight to 18 engaging with and performing rock music in a way that I have not seen in the last 20 years in this area.
“Some bands are writing their own material and this concert allowed the groups a valuable opportunity to listen to one another and gain valuable stage experience. Who knows, we may have seen some of the first performances from the next Adele or Coldplay!
“I would like to say a huge thank you to Will Oram, Emma Bunn, Johnny Fitch, and Sophie King, teachers who are inspiring and helping to develop tomorrow’s musicians here in Shropshire. The evening featured 12 bands with students from The Corbett, Marches, Oswestry School and Ellesmere College. It is a joy to see young people engaging in such a creative and collaborative way.”
Mr Coupe said the annual House Singing Competition for the school’s four competitive houses was once again a great success with this year’s theme The Music of Elvis, and that the Midwinter Concert at the beginning of February saw the Porthywaen Silver Band, under the direction of Stephen Pritchard-Jones, perform alongside the College Choral Society, Choirs, musicians and singers.
“This wonderful concert reached a climax with a joint performance of Sweet Caroline,” Mr Coupe added. “There was also a moving tribute to Brendan Wignall, former headmaster of Ellesmere College, with the Chapel Choir singing The Lord Bless You and Keep You, by John Rutter.
“The evening raised £1,270 for Age UK North Shropshire Supporters Association and Anne Wignall, who has represented the charity for years, said: ‘Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event such a great success. So many people have come up to me and said that it was the best concert yet!’
“Looking ahead, we will host Celestial Music at the college on March 22nd. This concert will feature the College Choral Society and Orchestra, Ellesmere Sinfonia and we will be joined by two Old Ellesmerians – Rhian-Carys Jones, currently studying for her masters at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and Lewis Readon, presently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, as our soloists.
“The second half of the concert will feature our Chapel and Chamber Choirs performing music from their upcoming tour to Amsterdam. Proceeds from this event will go to the Music School Appeal. Then, from April 2nd to the 8th, we will be embarking on a tour to Amsterdam with 52 students taking part.
“Performing at the iconic Westerkerk, Oudekerk and English Reformed Church, this is an amazing opportunity for our students to gain confidence and experience the rich culture of this amazing city. There will be flashmobs in museums and other iconic locations, and it is sure to be a memorable experience.”
