Bedales musicians collaborate for Whole School Concert

Musicians from Bedales Pre-prep, Prep and Senior schools joined together on Friday 4 October for the annual Whole School Concert, showcasing the musical talents of Bedales’ very youngest through to Sixth Form.

Taking place in the School’s new Assembly Hall, parents and guests enjoyed a range of pieces from students and staff, including a Whole School devised performance and music from the Senior and Prep Choir, Bedales Contemporary Band and Bedales Senior Jazz Band among others. 

The concert opened with an extraordinary Whole School Devised Performance of the 1928 French traditional carol Now the Green Blade Riseth, with song lyrics originally by J M C Crum. Incorporating two Creation poems by Marcelo Gleiser, the hymn’s lyrics were altered for the occasion by Lucy McIlwraith, Teacher of English at Bedales Senior, with music arranged by Doug McIlwraith, Director of Music at Bedales Senior. The orchestra was accompanied by dancers from the Senior, Prep and Pre-prep, and the audience were invited to sing along in an atmospheric Whole School effort. 

Musicians from Bedales Prep followed with an immersive devised piece titled The Firebird, based on music by Stravinsky. Performers from the Prep School danced and acted alongside the musicians, bringing the story of the Firebird to life. 

Bedales Senior Dance students then performed a routine to Florence and the Machine’s New Beginnings before the Senior and Prep Choir took to the stage for Anton Bruckner’s Locus iste. 

In a further demonstration of the School’s strengths in the performing arts, Bedales Senior Drama students performed Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poem ‘Constantly Risking Absurdity’ before the Bedales Senior Jazz Band played an energetic rendition of Picking up the Pieces by The Average White Band. 

The concert was brought to a close with a spectacular performance by the Bedales Contemporary Band, playing an original composition - Who’s Got Control? - by Sixth Form student Andrea De Selancy. 

Each year, the Whole School Concert is a wonderful display of musicianship across Bedales, highlighting the integrated community of students and staff from the Pre-prep, Prep and Senior schools and providing a performance platform for Bedalians of all ages.

Director of Music at Bedales Senior Doug McIlwraith said: “The Whole School Concert once again demonstrated the strength of collaboration across all ages at Bedales, from our youngest students performing alongside the orchestra to Sixth Form students composing original pieces. It was wonderful to incorporate Dance and Drama into this year’s event to showcase the breadth of talent across the School. Bedales is renowned for fostering creativity and individuality, and the Whole School Concert was a wonderful reflection of the passion and expression that we encourage in our students.” 

Director of Music at Bedales Prep Matt Blunt added: “The excitement of performing in a space befitting our students’ creative skills was palpable - staff and students worked together across the School to showcase the development of our creative arts. There was a sense of joy in every rehearsal, performance and pew, as we came together to bring the Assembly Hall to life. This space will continue to inspire students for many years to come.”

View a gallery from the concert here.