14 October 2021
Woldingham’s auditorium was filled with singing on Tuesday 12 October when we hosted our Junior Choir Festival for the first time in two years. The joy and smiling faces from the visiting Year 5 and 6 pupils showed it was worth the wait. After an afternoon of singing workshops and final rehearsals, all five of the choirs performed in front of an invited audience of relatives, many of whom were visiting Woldingham for the first time, and who proved to be a very appreciative and supportive audience.
Well done to all five schools who took part and thank you to the Music Department for organising such a fantastic event. This year’s winning choir was Eaton House Girls who sang Go the Distance, with St David’s School a close second. Adjudicator Jane Werry, Director of Music at Hayes School, said she had a very difficult time choosing her winners as all of the choirs were so good and well prepared. The other schools on stage were The Roche School, Hornsby House and St Francis’ Catholic Primary School. In summing up Jane Werry said: ‘It was such a joy to hear young people singing again. Everyone gave 100%. It was brilliant to hear and to watch.’ The performances ended with a rousing finale led by singing teacher Miss Cookey-Gam with all the pupils and their parents joining in.
The Music Department has plans for a new event, an Orchestral Afternoon, on 1 March 2022, when we’re inviting primary and prep school pupils to rehearse and perform together in collaboration with the London Mozart Players. This promises to be another fantastic event bringing more young musicians into school to perform together. Parents with younger children not at Woldingham who play an orchestral instrument are invited to contact Mrs Denine Adamson if you would like to find out how they could be involved. There are parts graded for all standards and experience from grade 1 to 8.
