On Thursday 2nd May 2019, there was music resounding from the main hall at Monmouth School for Girls as three fantastic music ensembles took to the stage to show case all their hard work and entertain a very appreciative audience in our annual Symphonic Serenade Concert.
Although an alternative venue this year, the evening began with Monmouth School for Boys’ Brass Ensemble playing Liberty Bell, Go Down Moses, The Magnificent Seven and Gonna Fly Now.
An entertaining jazz set from MOJO then followed, who very ably directed themselves with the help of Joe Smith on Piano. They displayed some excellent solo improvisations in pieces such as The Chicken, Dirty Dozen, Lean On Me and Sing, Sing, Sing; The Chicken was also used for a GCSE Ensemble live recording, a first for this concert!
After a short break to re-set the stage, it was the turn of Symphonic Winds. Under the direction of Sarah Fowler, they made an exciting start to their programme with their arrangement of “Welcome to the jungle”, first performed in 2015. This was followed by A Klezmer Karnival, Putting on the Ritz, Eighties flashback and Disney Spectacular. The set finale was a wonderful medley from The Greatest Showman.
The Symphonic Serenade Concert was the Monmouth School annual Leavers concert. This is always a bittersweet concert as we say goodbye to so many who have played such a huge part in the musical life of the school. Huge thanks and praise was given to four Yr13 boys and girls for all their commitment and dedication to their ensembles; this would be their last performance with their respective ensembles at Monmouth School.
All of the musicians had great fun performing on the night and were a fantastic example of the talent here at Monmouth School for boys and Monmouth School for Girls.
