From Tchaikovsky to The Avengers: Lower School concert a ‘joyful evening’

Nearly 80 boys performed in Tonbridge’s Lower School Concert on Friday 17 June.

The School Orchestra, Junior Choir, Junior Strings and Concert Band all featured in an hour-long programme that highlighted the talent and versatility of younger musicians.

Performances ranged from orchestral renditions of Tchaikovsky (Waltz of the Flowers and Trepak) and Bizet (Habanera, from Carmen) to a traditional sea shanty by Junior Choir.

Contemporary composer Libby Croad’s Moto Perpetuo, the third and final movement from the Suite for String Orchestra, was skilfully played by Junior Strings.

The Concert Band finished the evening on a rousing note with crowd-pleasing themes from The Avengers and Mission: Impossible, as well as highlights from Mamma Mia!

Mark Forkgen, the School’s Director of Music, said: “We had a joyful evening of music-making, with a wonderful atmosphere that only live performance can produce. I was very pleased to see such variety and confidence from a cohort of predominantly Year 9 and Year 10 musicians.”

Still to come this term is the annual Leavers’ Concert (Friday 1 July, Big School, 7pm), which is one of the School’s musical highlights of the year. Upper Sixth musicians will perform a selection of concerto movements, operatic arias and arrangements from the Austro-German tradition, alongside the Chamber Orchestra.

Tickets are free: please book in advance.

On Skinners’ Day (Saturday 2 July), there are two concerts for visitors (tickets not required). The Symphony Orchestra will perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto in the Chapel (2.15pm), while Bands and Big Band in the Marquee takes place from 2.45pm.