Lower Sixth student raises £4,000 in charity concert
A concert organised by a Tonbridge School pupil has raised nearly £4,000 for Sri Lankan street children.
Sunday night (10 March) saw the first combined performance of the Orchestra of St Augustine and the Tudeley Singers, under their Musical Director and Conductor Alex Trigg. Alex, a 17-year-old music scholar, not only founded both groups but also put the whole concert together.
All funds will go to support the work of Child Action Lanka, a charity working with street children across Sri Lanka. The money raised will contribute to the Batticaloa Education Centre Fund, set up by Tonbridge School to build and equip a vital new facility on the east coast of the island.
Alex was keen to thank all those who generously gave up their time to help make the concert such a success. “It is fantastic that we have managed to raise such a large sum for this great charity, helping to provide education and a lasting future for so many children in Sri Lanka,” he said.
The concert opened with the lyrical and elegant Fauré Pavane, before leading into a stunning rendition of the Bruch violin concerto. The soloist, Jonathan Hayward, is a friend of Alex’s from the Lydian Orchestra, and a rising star in his own right.
After a short break the orchestra were joined by the Tudeley Singers for a beautiful rendition of the Faure Requiem, in an arrangement by John Rutter. Jonathan Hayward returned as solo violin and was joined by Toby Stafford-Allen, Baritone, and Tristan Peters, Treble, who gave an enchanting Pie Jesu.
Juliet Burnett, the school’s Community Action Manager, who herself played double bass in the new orchestra, said: “Alex’s gentle touch as conductor seemed to bring out the best in both the orchestra and choir, producing a well-balanced and moving performance.”
James Priory, the school’s Headmaster, added: “Alex put a huge amount of effort in to organising this excellent concert, and the funds raised are a tribute to his talent, creativity and hard work. It’s fantastic to see what the boys can achieve through their own initiative and with the support of the rest of the Tonbridge community.”
Photo above by Chris Jeffrey.
