Playing at Chelmsford Cathedral has become something of a tradition for the Brentwood School Big Band and choirs, and it was evident from the capacity audience to see that it had been just as dearly missed by the audience as it had been by the musicians. As always, the students exhibited exemplary behaviour, not to mention playing superbly. The varied repertoire included lively band favourites such as Birdland, Caravan and The Chicken, while heartfelt solo performances from the likes of Owen Romhany and Martha Treston brought tears to the eyes of everyone present. The Girls’ Choir sang Beth Aggett’s stunning arrangement of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square with their usual flair, while the Boys’ Barbershop delighted all with a cheery rendition of How Deep is Your Love? Particular highlights included Rosie Parrish’s performance of Sunny Side of the Street, sung to perfection, while Will Sedgely impressed all with his poised rendition of New York. Big Band favourites Orange Coloured Sky and Let the Good Times Roll, were, as always, incredibly well-received by the enthusiastic audience as Daisy-Rose Ireson-Hughes, Lara Wantling and Murray Peat showcased their extraordinary talent. Overall, the concert was an immense success, withmany audience members commenting on how happy they were to see us perform once again after being starved of music for so long. So great was the Big Band’s impression that it was invited back to perform the following November and February, indicating a growing appetite for its entertainment. It must be said that the sheer, unadulterated joy of returning to live performance and audiences, following the Covid hiatus, has added an energy and edge to everything on stage and has affirmed to us all, why music education and performance is so vitally important. By Sophia Assitzoglou CHELMSFORD CATHEDRAL GIG 61
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