Kate and Chris performed on the evening of the hottest June day for about 50 years, with pupils in Years 4 to 8 who gave a wide range of excellent performances to their parents, friends and teachers. The audience was treated to performances from LAMDA, ballet and dance students, along with joyous ensemble music played by the Brass Monkeys, Choir, Superstrings and Wind Band.

Brass Monkeys, conducted by Kate with Chris playing tuba, played three pieces; Regal Fanfare, Aerie (Minecraft) – arranged especially for the group by Kate and including added percussion – and Football Crazy!

All the pupils performed with smiles on their faces, despite the exceptional temperature in the auditorium, demonstrating how much they were enjoying presenting the results of their hard work to everyone in attendance.

This year’s Senior School Summer Concert was a spectacular celebration of musical talent, marking both an end-of-year tradition and a heartfelt farewell to the Upper Sixth musicians.

The evening began in grand style with the Senior Orchestra, which included two pupils from Year 8, performing Franz von Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture, setting the tone for a night full of variety and emotion. Concerto highlights followed, with outstanding performances by trumpeter Bobby L (U6W) and French horn player Toby S (U6P), accompanied by Chamber Orchestra made up of pupils and music staff. The Senior Wind Band kept the momentum going with an exciting set, culminating in a powerful medley of Hans Zimmer’s iconic Movie Milestones themes.

King’s Brass, conducted by Kate, opened the second half of the concert with a balanced programme of Purcell and jazz. To close, the Senior Wind Band delivered a rousing trio of favourites.

A special tribute was paid to Mr Graeme Vinall, retiring after an incredible 43 years as Head of Woodwind and ensemble leader. His contributions were honoured with a surprise performance of his own arrangement of the National Anthem — a touching farewell for a much-loved figure in the King’s music community. A huge thank you goes to all the pupils who performed, and to the parents and families who have supported their musical journeys throughout the year.

Kate and Chris were pleased to perform with their students at King’s School on Wednesday last week at the Senior School Christmas Concert. Though it was an early start for the Christmas celebrations, it certainly got everyone in the festive spirit! The opening music of the concert was from King’s Brass. The solemn but beautiful sounds of Henry Purcell’s Anthem from the Music for Queen Mary II was followed by two Christmas pieces (Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – arranged for the group by Kate – and Walking In A Winter Wonderland) which brought the spirit of Christmas to the fore.

The Prep School Christmas concert takes place next week with more festive hits to round off the term!

Kate and Chris performed in the King’s Orchestra Day on the 30th of September alongside over 70 young musicians from seven schools for a day of music-making with a spooky twist. Pupils aged 9-13 from Ashford, Sevenoaks Prep, Lorenden Prep, Merton Court, Dartford Primary Academy, Gateway Primary School, and Wrotham Road Primary joined forces to learn and perform two iconic pieces: In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg and the ever-popular Ghostbusters theme by Ray Parker Jnr.

The theme for this year’s Orchestra Day was delightfully spooky, perfectly matching the Ghostbusters number and adding a touch of Halloween fun to the day. For many of the pupils, this was their first experience playing in a full-sized orchestra. Under the expert guidance of our King’s music staff, the pupils spent the morning rehearsing their parts before coming together in the afternoon for a full orchestral rehearsal.

The day culminated in an Open Rehearsal, where proud parents and staff were invited to hear the impressive progress the pupils had made in just a few hours. The young musicians showcased not only their hard work but also the joy of collaboration and the power of music to unite.

On Tuesday 25th June, the curtain went up on Mr Mountford’s final concert at King’s, who leaves for pastures new. As such it was a special event, with heavy involvement from Kate, Chris and the brass department pupils.

King’s Brass opened the concert with the Grand Chœur Dialogué arranged for brass ensemble and organ, featuring Jeremy Lloyd who will also be leaving at the end of this term. This was followed by Kate’s arrangements of Concierto de Aranjuez (Rodrigo) and The Mandalorian (Goransson). Next came performances by the Jazz and Wind Bands and Orchestra.

The first half drew to a close with the first of the leaver’s solos, from Hugh on the mighty cathedral organ, playing Saint-Saens’ finale from Symphony No. 3, supported by Kate, Chris and other tutors and returning Old Roffensians (ORs) in the orchestra.

The second half included a performance on trumpet by William and his beautifully executed Spider and the Fly by Britten.

The evening closed with a grand performance from choir, orchestra and audience, of the Medway Hymn, the last movement of Thomas Hewitt Jones’s Regards from Rochester.

Farewell Mr Mountford – Head of Music – from all of us at Sound Roots who have had the pleasure of working with you at King’s; you will be sorely missed!

On Tuesday 2nd July friends, parents, teachers and governors were treated to a selection of performances by King’s Prep School ensembles and dancers at the Prep School Concert of Music and Dance. 

Kate & Chris supported members of the Brass Monkeys ensemble performing a selection of opera classics: March from Aida, Don Giovanni and Carmen. The performance was very well received by all, and the pupils played superbly.

Students from the brass department also performed with the Wind Band and Orchestra, showcasing pieces by living composers, including their very own Mr Vinall conducting his own composition for Wind Band! 

On Monday this week Kate was delighted to perform alongside pupils from King’s School in Rochester, along with visiting choirs from IAPS schools across the country. The Festival of Singing was the first event of it’s kind run by IAPS and was held at the stunning Rochester Cathedral, with proceeds being donated to the itrust charity.

Pupils sang a variety of songs, including religious choral works and popular / folk numbers. Kate’s involvement was to play with the orchestra for 2 of the massed choir pieces; Vivaldi’s Gloria (on piccolo trumpet) and the Benedictus from Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man – which included a bass drum loud enough to make the audience, choir and orchestra alike jump out of their seats!

Congratulations to everyone involved in this inaugural event; it was a big undertaking and we hope there will be many more to follow.