Private School News

DURHAM SCHOOL STAGES AN OUTSTANDING FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

Durham School, one of the oldest established schools in the country, staged A Festival of Music at one of the country’s newest and most spectacular venues, The Sage Gateshead, on Friday 6 March at 7 p.m. Every single pupil in the senior school (450) performed on this world renowned stage, which was an outstanding musical showcase for the school.

The evening included the schools very own salsa dancers ‘Salsa Sabrosa’, the Bow, Durham School Ceilidh Band, the choir including guests from the Galilee Choir of The Chorister School, the winners of Durham School’s Got Talent (held last term) and the much awaited annual Durham School House Music Competition.

In the House Music Competition each of the 5 Houses performed a Part Song, Instrumental piece and a whole House Unison Song. The event was eventually won by the girls of Pimlico House who performed three outstandings items to delight the audience and just pipped strongly fancied Poole House at the final post. Natalie Carroll, who, in the first part of the evening’s concert, had given a stunning performance on the flute, received the trophy on behalf of the girls from judge Mr Mark Mawhinney, Director of Music at Barnard Castle School, whose expert comments and sympathetic manner contributed hugely to the success of the evening. Commiserations to Poole House whose oustanding performances in the first two categories gave them a 2 point lead over Pimlico as they went into the final section and won them a special award cup. It is the second time that Poole have found themselves narrowly beaten at The Sage Gateshead. Two years ago they were runners-up to Caffinites House.

However, the real winner on the night was the school itself, for the Festival of Music really lived up to its name in every way. It was the second time that the event has been held at The Sage Gateshead and, as on the first occasion, The Sage was packed to the rafters with every seat sold. Mr Martin George, who on April 6th officially becomes the 43rd Headmaster of Durham School, rounded off the evening with a well-received vote of thanks. Thanks go to all involved in the event: sponsors and advertisers, to the staff of The Sage Gateshead for their marvellous support and help, to the expert judge Mr Mawhinney, to Mr Muttitt and Mr Duff and all the music staff, to all the parents and friends of the school who came and supported the event and especially to all the pupils themselves who by virtue of their impeccable demeanour and breath-taking talent were the real stars of the show in every way!