Rye College concert proves big sell out

RYE College’s summer concert enjoyed two sold-out evenings.

The event saw top class performances from more than 150 students and a diverse music programme ranging from BLOCO Samba drummers to musical theatre; rock bands; string quartets; a 70 strong choir and guitar, keyboard and class ensembles.

The first half included a superb musical performance of ‘Cars’ by Gary Numan by the junior keyboard ensemble and a hypnotic minimalist piece by Year 11 student Daisy Jarvis, the saxophone ensemble and band performing The Average White Band’s ‘Pick up the Pieces,

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Student Gemma Archer displayed all the qualities of a future West End star with a show stopping performance of ‘Gimme Gimme’ from Musical, ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’.

The 70 strong school choir directed by Anneliese Dale ended the first half with a breathtaking performance of ‘Uprising’ by Muse.

During the interval, summer refreshments of Pimms and strawberries were served, having been provided by local businesses Sweet Williams of Rye and Jempsons.

The second half opened with Year 11 all girl band W.I.R.E.D performing Kiss with a Fist by Florence and The Machine and Blink 182’s ‘All the Small Things’.

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The senior keyboard ensemble performed a superb arrangement of the OMD classic ‘Enola Gay.

Rising star Giorgia Moran hushed the audience with her performance of the Corinne Bailey Rae number ‘Like A Star’.

Year 7 students displayed performance skills beyond their young age with their classwork ensemble piece.

A variety of guitar ensembles made several appearances throughout the evening with top class performances.

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Year 9 student Jessie Collingwood, accompanied by a student band, performed a beautiful arrangement of a Gershwin classic, before the entire school orchestra and choir performed the great showstopper ‘Let the Sunshine In’ from love rock musical ‘Hair.’

Head of Music at Rye College, Chris McGeever said: “What a fabulous couple of evenings we had.

“Music is important at Rye College and we do it rather well.

“Our young students continue to break new ground in terms of their approach and professionalism towards musical performances and we’re very proud that one in three of our students receives weekly musical tuition.

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“However, it was both a happy occasion and yet tinged with a little sadness. Happy because it’s an end of year celebration of the wonderful musical talent we continue to discover, nurture and develop here at Rye College and sadness because we lose some truly brilliant music students after five years.

“They each deserve a roll call for all their efforts over the years in contributing to the success we have had at the school.

“They are: Stacey Bourner, Imogen Hambridge, Kitty Tucker, Gemma Archer, Evie Adams, Calum Munro, Tom Bryan, Hugo Dawson, Rebekah Maunder, Daisy Jarvis, Winni Jarvis, Phineen Cahill, Rebecca Headde, Shelby Finch and Lauren Kooij.

“We thank them all and wish them every success for their future musical endeavours.”

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