Founder’s Day Concert

The concert began with String Chamber Orchestra giving a charming rendition of two movements of Holst’s Brook Green Suite, before Lancing’s perennial saxophone quartet Honk! gave an energised performance of some Singelée. This was followed by Lancing’s Choral Scholars, who gave a bouncing rendition of Morley’s seasonal Now Is the Month of Maying before an exquisite performance of Chilcott’s arrangement of Londonderry Air. After a humorous rendering of Thomas The Tank Engine by the Bassoon Quartet (surely one of the only school bassoon quartets in the country), Big Band performed a series of numbers including long-standing favourite Sing, Sing, Sing, and a variety of numbers featuring pupil soloists Kate Pinnell, Ally Yuen, and Elodie Banham, as well as a guest appearance from Mr Langworthy.

The second half began with Lancing’s specially-formed Founder’s Day ensemble, featuring the full might of Lancing’s superb percussion section. After a jazz-inspired performance of You Belong To Me by a vocal quartet, several of Lancing’s pupil conductors (Theo Almond, Jimmy Fan, & Felix Gautier) were on show in Concert Band (capably prepared by Steve Dummer) performing Tomlinson’s bombastic Suite of English Folk Dances. This was followed by a spirited performance of Ain’t Got Far to Go by A Cappella Club, with pupil soloists Matilde Ghirardi and Lili Rashbrook, before the Flute Ensemble gave an absorbing performance of Let’s Swing by Hansellmann.

The concert concluded with Symphony Orchestra, including a beautifully tender performance of Sondheim’s Send in the Clowns before a performance of Walton’s mighty Crown Imperial in homage to the recent coronation of King Charles III. Symphony Orchestra were rewarded with rapturous applause by a warmly appreciative audience as, indeed, were all the ensembles and performances. Many congratulations to the pupils for their contributions to such a remarkable concert.

Christopher Langworthy, Head of Academic Music