On Thursday 20th June, Junior Consort and Music Scholars shared their talents in the beautiful setting of Bremhill Church. The evening concert championed a charity helping the poverty-stricken rural areas of Sri Lanka, Once in a Lifetime. The UK committee includes two local people, Rosemarie and Colin Bray, and it was a pleasure to see their dedication and help this important charity through the medium of music.

Junior Consort performed a selection of moving choral arrangements of Somewhere Only We Know, Homeward Bound and Chilcott’s Irish Blessing. The Music Scholars played the violin, oboe, piano, cello, clarinet and sang solos and duets, with repertoire ranging from Albinoni to Mozart and Einaudi. It was a joyful celebration of talent in the stunning setting and acoustics of Bremhill Church.

Jina, Emi, Alice, Izzy, Teyla, Myra, Jemima, Letty, Georgia, Hermione, Suri, Lily, Katie, Coco and Evie were captivating and hugely appreciated by the audience that filled the church.

Jemima and Flo performed a very unique duet with a bespoke arrangement of We’ll Gather Lilacs for flute and soprano. The flute in question was recently donated to the school by Mr Jimmy James in memory of his mother, Cecilia (nee Livingstone), as she cherished her time at St Mary’s. This was the first time that the flute has been played by a St Mary’s pupil since the 1940s. It will be played again on Founders’ Day in another unique arrangement for flute and voices to accompany Junior Consort at the Church Service.

The concert ended with the whole church singing We’ll Meet Again which brought everyone together in fine voice, with Mark Sandon-Williams (Head of Keyboard) accompanying with great flair.

After the concert, the Village Hall offered refreshments and a chance to talk to Rosemarie and Colin about the charity Once in a Lifetime. An informative slideshow depicted the aspects of the charity’s work in Sri Lanka which was wonderful to share.

It was indeed a memorable community event!

Mrs Bethan Dudley Fryar, Director of Vocal Studies