On Thursday 16th March, a selection of singers and musicians performed Excerpts from Handel’s Messiah at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford for this year’s Spring Concert. To celebrate our 150th Anniversary, we performed at this beautiful venue and invited members of the wider school community including past parents and alumnae. The University Church is a phenomenal venue dating back to the thirteenth century. The decorated spire of the Church was added in the early fourteenth century and is one of Oxford’s best-known landmarks.

Handel’s Messiah uses text from the Bible set to music to create beautiful arias and compelling chorus numbers. The LIV Choir, Junior Consort and Chamber Choir performed alongside the Chamber Orchestra, featuring solos from Tessa (UVI), Izzy (LVI), Elyse (LVI), Deborah (LVI), Flora (UV), Sophia (LV), Amy (LVI) and Katie (LVI) as well as professional chorister Craig Bissex, and award-winning opera singer Rachel Allard. The audience rose to their feet as well for the singing of the finale, the Hallelujah Chorus, as the choir and orchestra raised the roof of this beautiful church!

Clara (LV), who performed as part of Chamber Choir said of the concert: ‘I really enjoyed singing in the choir with an orchestral accompaniment - it was both a wonderful and a fantastic experience. Having the opportunity to perform at the Church, showed me how lucky we are at Calne to be able to sing in such incredible places. We are extremely grateful to Miss Arthur and the other music staff for arranging this amazing experience.’

Following an appeal by parent, Michael Bucher, a retiring collection of £1,200 was made on behalf of the Chrysalis Campaign for transformational bursaries. Mr Bucher also introduced the audience to the 150 Society to recognise those supporting the Chrysalis Campaign. If you would be interested in joining the 150 Society or would like further details, then please contact Cari Depla – cari.depla@stmaryscalne.org.

Thank you and well done to all of the students who took part as well as our visiting musicians who joined the Chamber Orchestra.