The marquee is taking shape as I look out across the field – it may well be raining at the moment, but nothing can dampen the spirits of the Music department as this means Picnic Concert time is approaching!
A very limited number of tickets remain for our festival of musical celebration around the world, the highlight of the musical year, which are available here. My advice would be to beg, steal or borrow to get one! Highlights will include unforgettable performances from our flagship ensembles, the Choir, Swing Band and Orchestra, as well as a much-awaited reunion of our ‘Matilda’ cast and many other delights from our smaller ensembles. The Chapel Choir, Newman Orchestra and String Stars from the Prep School will be taking to the stage, many of whom for the first time, and new ensembles will be making their Picnic Concert, including the Male Chorus, Schola Cantorum and Sixth Form Band. An evening of wonderful musical entertainment is guaranteed, in the beautiful surroundings of our Headmaster’s Lawn and it will be the perfect way to conclude another astonishing musical year at Ratcliffe. I very much look forward to seeing you there.
We wish all students taking ABRSM exams next week the very best of luck, not that they will need it as I know how hard they have all been working. I very much look forward to welcoming the examiner to Ratcliffe on Monday and showcasing the individual instrumental talents of our students.
Hugest congratulations to my close colleagues over in the Drama department for their wonderful two-night run of ‘The Bench’ this week. I thoroughly enjoyed watching on Tuesday night – how inspiring to see the Performing Arts thrive on such a continual basis at Ratcliffe, and watch this space for a very exciting announcement about next year’s theatrical activities…
We are in the final stages of planning our inaugural departmental concert tour, which departs in just two weeks’ time and I cannot describe how much I am looking forward to taking our wonderful ensembles beyond the gates of Ratcliffe to showcase their talents to the world. We have three large-scale concerts to be presented in and around the Rhineland region of Germany – what an exciting time to be a Ratcliffe musician it is right now.
Wishing you all an enjoyable, musical fortnight.
Mr Harris, Director of Music.
