Foundation Gala

On Thursday 21 November, musicians from Queen Anne’s School participated in the United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation gala concert, in conjunction with musicians from Emanuel School, Sutton Valence School, Grey Coat Hospital School and Westminster City Boys’ School, to acknowledge the exceptional work of Mr Roy Blackwell – CEO and Clerk of the Foundation.

All students from the five respective schools engaged in challenging repertoire demonstrating musicianship of the highest order: students performed confidently and competently, playing and singing with accuracy, self-control and poise.

The Queen Anne’s Sinfonia started the concert with an excellent performance of Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins in B minor – movement I. Technical virtuosity and a deep understanding of baroque performance practice was demonstrated. Olivia F (L5) gave a superb performance of Schubert’s An die Musik and Jess E’s (L6) performance of Dido’s Lament by Purcell demonstrated a real understanding of the symbolism of the text. These two vocal works were executed with great confidence.

Elizabeth D’s (L5) performance of Farewell to Stromness by Maxwell Davies was very assured, as was Cosima H’s (U5) performance of Vaughan Williams’s Six Studies in English Folksong. Of the individual solo/duet items, Madeleine D (L5) and Olivia F (L5) brought the concert to a close with an excellent performance of Mendelssohn’s Volksleid No.5.

There were notable performances from students of the other Foundation schools, playing/singing works by Britten, Debussy, Purcell, Tallis and Finzi.

The final item of the concert saw the coming together of the five schools in a stunning performance of Haydn’s The Heavens are Telling from the Creation.

A first class evening. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Roy Blackwell for his many years of support for the arts and music in particular. We wish him and his wife, Jennifer all good wishes for the future.

We would also like to thank Mr Padley, Mr Burnett, Mr Roberts, Miss Wimble and Miss Borzone for their excellent musicianship and support they give to the students of Queen Anne’s.