Each year, we hold a showpiece arts event at the end of the Autumn Term, just before the holidays – our annual Christmas Concert. This year’s took place on Thursday 12 December, and was, without doubt, our most ambitious undertaking ever! Led by musical directors Mr McKeever and Ms Warner, the concert featured nearly 150 students across an hour and a half of live music.
Taking place in the school hall, the event began with a piece of audience participation, as the students led the audience in a great rendition of ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’. The audience was bursting with parents/carers, family, and other members of the school community, so they were in full voice. A lovely start! We then led straight into the Junior Band, made up of students in Key Stage 3. They gave an excellent performance of ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’, showcasing that these young people clearly have a huge amount of potential, which will only grow under Ms Warner’s continued tutelage.
We were then treated to a quite incredible solo vocal performance by Year 13’s Sophie Muringu. Her rendition of Beyoncé’s ‘Listen’ was something to behold – a vocal masterclass which led to a standing ovation for the talented student. Shortly after it was time for some spoken word, with Jaden Jones (Year 7) giving a humorous rendition of Benjamin Zephaniah’s poem ‘Talking Turkeys’. It was a performance of immense confidence from someone so young!
It was then time for the Year 10 GCSE music group. They have been working hard ahead of their assessment in Summer 2021, and gave an excellent performance of ‘Natural’ by Imagine Dragons – joined in the choruses by the entire ensemble. Particular mention must go to the instrumental section, joined by former student Charlie Mills on the trombone!
Earlier in the month, we held our latest school production of ‘A Christmas Carol’. A big part of that show was the use of carol singers throughout. That group – our school Chamber Choir – reunited during this concert for a rendition of several traditional carols. Such lovely voices on display, and an excellent show of festive spirit! Then, two big performances. The whole ensemble did a thumping interpretation of Coldplay hit ‘Viva La Vida’ before our Big Band went for the Christmassy ‘Let It Snow’. Great receptions for both performances from our appreciative audience!
Time then for New Sahara, a band made up of Isleworth & Syon students plus boys from other Hounslow secondary schools. They met through the Hounslow Music Service, which does excellent work to promote music in the borough. The band’s performance of original track ‘Winter’s Pearl’ was excellent! They were followed by another bout of audience participation, this time of ‘Jingle Bells’. Mr McKeever played the role of conductor, eliciting excellent enthusiasm from everyone present!
The great performances kept on flowing. Alina Gangotra (Year 12) is a recent addition to the school community, and her performance of ‘Don’t Watch Me Cry’ was beautiful. She was followed by the Paris I&Spire Crew, performing ‘This is Me’ from ‘The Greatest Showman’ – this group will be touring Paris this summer, so stay tuned for more from them. Afterwards, we were thrilled with a great performance from the Senior A Cappella Group, making the highly-technical discipline look very easy indeed!
It was nearly time for the end! First, the traditional appearance of the Staff Band, belting Tina Turner’s hit ‘Proud Mary’. A great array of talent on display from the staff – well done to them for squeezing rehearsal time into their busy school days! And then the final performance, as the whole ensemble performed a ‘Dance Monkey’ mash-up, featuring a special performance on the dhol drums! The audience was dancing, the students were loving it, and it was a fitting end to a special concert. Please do check out the gallery below for some more highlights from the show!
We firmly believe in encouraging our students to explore their creative passions – that’s the Isleworth & Syon way. Nights like these showcase our school at its very best!
View the gallery
