Exeter School's concert raises funds for National Trust

The sixteenth annual Exeter School Christmas Concert in aid of the National Trust took place in Exeter Cathedral on Tuesday evening, and as ever, was one of the musical highlights of the year.

Director of Music Peter Tamblyn said: "In such an impressive venue, the annual National Trust Christmas Concert at Exeter Cathedral is a highlight of the year, even in such a busy and exciting programme of events as we have at Exeter School.

"This concert remains a favourite for the whole school community, and the children prepare for weeks in readiness," he said. "The buzz of excitement that pervades the Music Department spills over on the day and lends a real energy to the evening."

Phillip Smart, General Manager of Killerton, a 6,500 acre estate close to Exeter, said: "At the heart of the National Trust is the simple idea that people love historic, beautiful and natural places - and it's our core purpose to look after them for ever, for everyone.

"This festive concert is a great opportunity to promote our ongoing conservation work to keep caring for houses, gardens, countryside and coastline," he said. "These events help to raise vital funds to keep places special for the continued enjoyment of the community."

Elizabeth Stephenson, Chair of the National Trust Exeter and District Centre, a voluntary group, said: "Over the last five years, with the help of the Exeter community, we have raised nearly £40,000 to help the National Trust safeguard beautiful places for future generations to enjoy.

"Recent projects we have funded include conservation work on Agatha Christie's boathouse at Greenway, iPads for disabled visitors at Buckland Abbey, restoration of the cider press at Bradley Manor and a visitor buggy for Killerton," she said.

Opening with the traditional solo verse of Once in Royal David's City, sung beautifully this year by soprano Katy Armstrong, the scene was set for an evening of joyful music and festive cheer.

Some chestnuts were undoubtedly roasting in the Cathedral Green Christmas Market, and with their rendition of The Christmas Song, Symphony Orchestra further evoked this seasonal image. Following them in the programme was the first performance of a new choral ensemble, the Lower Fifth Singers, whose sensitive performance of The Little Road to Bethlehem was much appreciated by the audience.

New to the National Trust concert this year was the inclusion of readings, ranging from a bible reading delivered by Revd Tom Carson, through to poems by Charles Causley, Roger McGough and John Betjeman, read by Lower Fifth pupil Grace Sail, and Deputy Head Boy and Girl Tommy Russell and Imogen Milner.

Fresh from her success as one of the leads in the school musical Guys and Dolls, Verity Stroud demonstrated her versatility by singing a solo aria with skill and sensitivity from Bach's Christmas Oratorio, accompanied by Mr Daldorph.

The bright brass sound of Mr Moore's Senior Brass sounded fantastic in the resonant Cathedral acoustic, whilst later in the programme, the Sax Quartet, directed by Mr Greenwood, also demonstrated some great communication within their slick ensemble playing.

Chamber Orchestra were on excellent form, playing movements from Warlock's Capriol Suite followed by the pizzicato fun of Plink Plank Plunk, which was clearly hugely enjoyed by Mr Tamblyn conducting, the players and all the audience.

With the choir tour to New York to look forward to in July for many of the school's senior singers, Exeter School choirs are thriving. Chamber Choir boasted around 50 singers on Tuesday evening, and featured carols by three well-known English composers in their set - Poston, Vaughan Williams and Rutter. Vocal Ensemble, also conducted by Mr Brimelow, were in good voice, with the audience especially enjoying Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in Latin!

Mrs Guthrie's Middle School Choir also featured more than 50 singers from the Third, Fourth and Lower Fifth and gave a joyful performance of I Believe I Can Fly, followed by the seasonal favourite Silent Night. Also directed by Mrs Guthrie, Belles Canto sang the delicate Cradle Song from Songs of Innocence and then very much got into the Christmas mood with an arrangement by Mrs Guthrie of Winter Wonderland, performed by memory.