Spring Music Festival Makes a Welcome Return

March 21st 2022

Not having had a full Spring Music Festival since 2019, it has been wonderful for all KES musicians to make a full-blown return to live performing.

January began with a Percussion Masterclass (the second in a series of five with our partners, Bath Philharmonia). Led by professional percussionist, Matt Turner, five pupils were able to enjoy learning from each other’s performances on a diverse range of instruments, including snare drum, timpani and drum kit, right through to vibraphone.

This was quickly followed by The Wessex Soloists’ Concert, which delivered an exciting performance platform for KES’ top musicians, who all performed at the highest level, beautifully capturing a myriad styles and genres.

Only a week later, parents and visitors were treated to further performances from a host of musicians across a wide variety of abilities at our annual Spring Colours Concert. It was lovely to see pupils from Year 7 upwards gaining confidence and honing their skills in performance etiquette.

After a quick breather at half term to recharge batteries, KES was proud to sponsor a concert held in The Forum which featured previous BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, pianist, Lara Melda. In a mesmerising display of virtuosity alongside our partners, Bath Philharmonia, Lara bedazzled the audience with her performance of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1. We were delighted that our sponsorship allowed hundreds within the KES Community, as well as families from across B&NES, to enjoy the concert for free.

The next morning, Lara came to KES, where seven of our most accomplished pianists were each able to learn from this internationally renowned artist as she workshopped each of their pieces in front of an audience of fellow pupils, parents and staff. Following on from Laura van der Heijden, Nicola Benedetti, Jess Gillam and Lauren Zhang, we are very grateful to Bath Philharmonia for enabling us to work with this, our fifth very gifted BBC Young Musician finalist.

Perhaps the event we have missed most, and always the highlight of our musical calendar, the much-awaited Gala Concert returned to the Guildhall on Tuesday 15th Marcht. The splendour of the Banqueting Room provided an appropriate backdrop for ‘A Night of Music for Dance’. Sitting alongside over 20 professional musicians from Bath Philharmonia, the KES Senior Orchestra took us on a tour of music for dance through the ages. From Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and Strauss’ Blue Danube, through to Piazzolla’s Libertango and Offenbach’s Can-Can, the fruits of our young musicians’ extensive workshop and rehearsal programme were clear for all to see. Additionally, the evening featured a highly accomplished performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto by Year 12 pupil, Gil Nowak, who captivated the audience with his virtuosic dexterity and musicality. We were also treated to the exhilarating première of Mark Boden’s Pick Me Up as well as a stunning finale of Steve Pycroft’s fantastic arrangement of the Steve Winwood classic, Call on Me.

Just two days later, we were delighted to provide the unique opportunity for 31 KES pupils to join us on a trip to see the brand new production of Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes at none other than The Royal Opera House, London. For many, it was their first opera and what a way to start. Conducted by Mark Elder and featuring Allan Clayton and Bryn Terfel, it was a wonderful display of operatic perfection.

Spring has most certainly sprung and, at the time of writing, we still have the Mid Somerset Festival, ABRSM exams, Upper Strings Masterclass and KES Unite evening to look forward to. Live KES Music is certainly back with a vengeance, and it feels good!

Rupert Drury, Director of Music

Flickr album: The Bath Orchestral Gala With Bath Philharmonia | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin