Review by Kathryn Howe.
From pop and rock classics across the decades to the biggest hits of the West End, the Summer Spectacular concert had it all.
Featuring students from all year groups at Rossett School, as well as younger pupils from Pannal Primary School and Saltergate Junior School, it was an evening to celebrate the fantastic talents of young musicians in the Harrogate area.
In solo performances, duets and ensembles, featuring everything from clarinets and saxophones to African drums, the Rossett students wowed the audience. Not to be outdone, the younger pupils put on impressive displays of their musical abilities too with choral pieces and massed ukeleles.
Year 5 pupils from Pannal and Saltergate united as a choir to perform Hakuna Matata from the Lion King, along with a memorable medley of hits from Toy Story. Medleys were the theme of the evening, covering Wicked and Sister Act among others, and they were a huge hit with the audience.
For those with more diverse taste, the programme included covers of hits by Katy Perry, the Beach Boys, Elbow, Simon and Garfunkel, and AC/DC. With a few movie theme tunes thrown in, every member of the audience seemed to have a different favourite performance of the night.
While Rossett and Pannal have performed together in the past, it was the first time that pupils from Saltergate had taken part in the joint event. They exceeded all expectations and even the youngest pupils, aged eight and nine, showed outstanding confidence and composure.
There were so many brilliant musicians on stage throughout the concert, it is impossible to pick a stand-out performance. The variety of music on show was staggering, and the older students from Rossett offered inspiration to the primary partners and their students.
