Spring Concert at Ulster Hall

Friends’ School Spring Concert in the Ulster Hall this year was an emotional affair, especially for our Upper Sixth pupils.  Everyone was busy early on with attempts to co-ordinate almost 300 pupils moving around the stage.  Finally, the evening of the concert arrived.

Drama unfolded with the Orchestra’s Music from Apollo 13, which hinged upon Rory McKee’s decisive solo. This was beautifully done. Lucy Fitzpatrick and Mark Woods, our comperes, provided an excellent, comic commentary throughout the evening and successfully poked fun at the staff in the Music Department.  

Instrumental ensembles largely dominated the first half with a lively rendition of ‘Cheap Thrills (Wind Band)’ and Jump in the Line (String Ensemble).  Holst, Stravinsky, Handel and Vaughan Williams all featured during the evening.  For many, Zadok the Priest, accompanied by Mr Elliott on the organ and sung by the Chamber Choir, was a firm favourite.  Year 10 pupils were vociferous in their applause for Tilly Martin’s version of Gabriel’s Oboe.  Predictably, the Prep Choir won the hearts of the audience with their up-lifting version of The Climb and Oh Happy Day. 

This feel good factor continued on into the second half with Happy, from Junior Choir.  The concert’s finale, an arrangement of Barcelona, with Anna Neagle as Monserrat Caballe, and Chris Kane as Freddie Mercury, was accompanied by the Orchestra, Junior Choir and Senior Choir.  Memorable moments from the evening included: the Flute Group’s hypnotic ‘Eleanor Rigby’, the uproarious applause following the Folk Group’s I’m Shipping up to Boston, and the thumping bass lines in ‘The Blues Brothers Rockin’ Soul Revue’ (Jazz Band); not to mention the selfies with The Mulholland Organ after the concert! Another fantastic evening of entertainment highlighting the musical talents of Friends’ School with many people already looking forward to what’s in store next year!