Trinity School performs at Glyndebourne in 50th anniversary concert
29 Apr 2016
Over 140 musicians from Trinity School, Croydon, performed in Glyndebourne as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The concert given at the iconic opera venue in Sussex included a world premiere of Russell Hepplewhite’s Music of the Spheres. It took place on Sunday 13th March to mark 50 years of Trinity School at its site in Shirley Park.
The concert was an opportunity to showcase Trinity’s musical talent in front of a packed auditorium. Over 1200 members of the school community were treated to a varied programme given by Trinity’s symphony orchestra, symphonic wind orchestra, string orchestra and big band, with encores including Pro Corda National Chamber Festival Finalists, the youthful Cheung Quartet playing Mozart from memory and the massed forces of Trinity Boys Choir singing Bohemian Rhapsody.
The event also celebrated 35 years since Trinity Boys Choir first appeared in Peter Hall’s famous production of a Midsummer Night’s Dream at Glyndebourne. The unique collaboration between the school and Glyndebourne has taken in productions of Carmen, La bohème, Hänsel und Gretel, The Cunning Little Vixen, Billy Budd, Falstaff, The Magic Flute and L’enfant et les sortilèges.
The internationally renowned Trinity Boys Choir was delighted to premiere Music of the Spheres, a piece which pays homage to Shakespeare for the 400th anniversary of his death. It is Trinity Boys Choir’s second commission from Russell Hepplewhite; in 2015 the choir gave the world premiere of The Death of Robin Hood for three part boys’ choir and cello at St Mary-at-Hill in London.
Trinity Director of Music David Swinson said: “We were so delighted when Glyndebourne agreed to host our 50th anniversary concert as we are incredibly proud of our long-standing association. Performing a world premiere at Glyndebourne in the presence of the composer was a very exciting experience.”
Trinity Headmaster Mark Bishop commented: “For many of the children who start at Trinity every year, playing music or singing is a totally new experience and nothing delights me more than to see them perform on a world-class stage to a fantastic standard, even after just a few months with us.”