Cheltenham Festival Success

Our King’s Hawford Senior Choir returned triumphant from their exhilarating performance in Cheltenham Town Hall this morning. Having won their choir class in the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts last year, the Choir were entered into a U11 Winners’ Class this year, competing against other Prep Schools who have won in the past.

In the grand surroundings of the 500-seater Ballroom of the Town Hall, the children were in awe of the Regency architecture, ornate decoration, high ceilings and chandeliers.

The children represented the School impeccably, filing into their positions in a slick and well-rehearsed order on the huge, raised stage, complete with red velvet curtains, a pipe organ and a huge 9’11” Steinway concert grand piano.

The ballroom was filled to the gunwales with audience members and pupils from other schools participating in both our class, and the preceding and following classes. Each school first performed the set song: a smooth and lyrical traditional Welsh folk song called The Ash Grove, followed by one of their own choice. Mrs Hughes selected a funky and rhythmic Spanish song, Cantar! by Jay Althouse, which provided great contrast in style and energy.  We were the third school in our class to perform and it was absolutely wonderful for the children to hear the other schools perform the set song and their own choice. Our choir ended their polished performance with a synchronised bow.

Iza MP, George O and Harriet B announced our school and the title of our pieces, leading into our first performance. With all eyes on Mrs Hughes conducting, Mrs Allard, our piano teacher, provided beautiful accompaniments to both of our songs. We are grateful to her for her superb playing and for giving up her time today.

Once everyone had performed, the adjudicator, Alison Sutton, asked all the schools to perform The Ash Grove together. It was wonderful to hear such a beautiful, rich sound filling the ballroom full of song from every corner.

The feedback was constructive for every school, child, and music teacher. Our comments were 100% positive and included “Lovely smiling faces, beautifully presented and prepared. Incisive diction. Very well controlled, soft ending. Very atmospheric” and “Incisive rhythmic attack and beautifully projected words. Robust vocal tone but never forced: bags of tonal colour.”

Congratulations to all of those who took part.