HUNDREDS of school children were urged to sing it louder, sing it clearer as they took to a world famous stage for a spectacular concert to remember.
Around 700 pupils from Barnard Castle School, aged from four to 18, descended on the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead, for a day of rehearsals and a stunning grand performance.
The whole school concert was the third to be held at the internationally renowned venue in recent years featuring students from Senior and Prep School.
The spectacle opened with the whole school performing Gary Barlow’s Sing to rousing applause from an audience of 2,000 parents and friends.
The Big Barney Orchestra then performed Jazz Waltz No.2 by Dmitri Shostakovich and Pure Imagination.
Prep School choir sang Seal Lullaby, When You Wish Upon A Star and A Million Dreams, before the Chamber Choir performed Northern Lights.
The Soul Band played Blinding Lights and I Want You Back before the audience enjoyed renditions of Adiemus, The Lord is My Shepherd, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in Eb, All I Care About is Love and All That Jazz by the cast of Chicago, Panis Angelicus, I’m Still Standing and You Got It, before the concert was brought to a tumultuous close with a whole-school performance of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing.
Headmaster David Cresswell said: “Events like this capture something important about music and drama at Barnard Castle School. We aim to pursue high performance in the creative arts while ensuring that opportunity is open to all.
“Across the year, this balance is visible in many different ways – in high-quality concerts and productions, the joyful inclusivity of house singing and house drama competitions, in both Prep and Senior School, and in the weekly rhythm of congregational singing, which remains a valued part of life at Barney.
“Music and drama are perhaps the ultimate team activities. To sing in a choir, perform in a band, or take part in a production requires you to listen carefully, to respond to those around you, and to work together towards something greater than any one individual could produce alone.
“This evening’s concert reflects that same spirit. We have seen outstanding individual and group performances from pupils with a deep passion for music and performance, alongside moments where the whole school comes together to create something memorable.
“I am always struck by the way the Barney community gathers on evenings like this with pupils, staff, parents and friends sharing in the pride and enjoyment of what our young people achieve together.”
Director music George Ford added: “Of course, nights like tonight cannot happen without the vast support of those working not in the public eye, but instead tirelessly behind the scenes. I would like to thank all of those who have devoted their time and energy with their contributions to tonight, from teachers and support staff to families and everyone in the Barney community.
“Our wonderful students have approached this process with engagement, openness, and boundless enthusiasm. For many, the prospect of performing on a stage such as this is a very daunting one and they have taken on this challenge with determination and resilience.”
