The Leavers’ Concert held in the Hauser & Wirth Recital Hall was a moving and memorable evening, filled with musical variety and sense of community spirit. The concert offered a poignant farewell to our departing U6th Form musicians, showcasing their talent.
The evening opened with Sebastian's performance of Tchaikovsky’s Canzonetta from the Violin Concerto in D major. He captured the lyrical, almost vocal quality of the movement with poise and emotional maturity. Later in the evening, he returned with equal confidence for a bold and characterful rendition of Whigham’s Suite for Trombone (Movements IV & V), displaying versatility across instruments. His final appearance, singing Ireland’s Sea Fever, was delivered with great sensitivity - a fitting and contemplative close to his contributions.
A standout moment came from Minty and Sophia's performance of their own original song. Their collaboration, both as writers and performers, demonstrated impressive musical instinct and a warm connection that drew in the audience. Sophia returned later in the programme with Reflecting Light, offering a haunting and reflective vocal performance with commendable control and phrasing.
Florence's Ave Maria (arr. Gounod) was beautifully sung with great clarity of tone. Mel’s performance of The Movie in My Mind was another emotional highlight; she conveyed the drama and melancholy of the song with impressive maturity and presence. Olivia's rendition of City of Stars brought a touch of cinematic charm, capturing the song’s wistfulness and jazz-inflected elegance with ease. Winnie performed Nothing New with a heartfelt simplicity that underscored the poignancy of the lyrics, while Ludo’s piano interpretation of Rachmaninov’s Prelude in C-sharp minor was commanding and technically assured, showcasing his power at the keyboard. Mr Higgs offered a lovely rendition of Kalliwoda’s Morceau de Salon, demonstrating polished technique and style. It was a pleasure to see staff and pupils share the stage in such a celebration of the school’s musical life.
This year’s Leavers’ Concert was a rich tapestry of genres and talents. The evening was a powerful reminder of the importance of music at King’s and a touching farewell to a group of pupils who have given so much. Well done and congratulations to all.
Ashley Marshfield - Director of Music