A Spring Term full of musical highlights
The Spring term has showcased the depth, breadth and confidence of musical life at King Edward’s School, Bath. Across concerts, masterclasses and enrichment opportunities, pupils performed with assurance and expressive maturity, reflecting months of preparation and a shared joy in music‑making.
Throughout the Spring Music Festival, pupils demonstrated impressive focus and composure, whether performing solo or as part of an ensemble. Performances were marked not only by technical skill, but by a growing musical confidence and artistic identity, as pupils appeared relaxed, well prepared and fully absorbed in the music they were sharing.
A particular highlight was the Holburne Soloists’ Concert, where pupils from Year 8 upwards presented a varied programme spanning classical repertoire and contemporary percussion works on the marimba. Each performer brought individuality and musical sensitivity to the stage. In the lead‑up to the concert, Upper Strings players benefited from an inspiring masterclass with Bath Philharmonia violinist Rosemary Wainwright. Her guidance on tone, articulation and technique was clearly reflected in the refined performances of GCSE musicians Dyansa and Emma. Rosemary’s own moving performance of music from Schindler’s List, given on Holocaust Memorial Day, provided a poignant moment of reflection on the power of music to engage with history and memory.
The Spring Colours Concert offered a vibrant contrast, bringing together classical, jazz, musical theatre and popular music in the Wessex Building. The concert reflected a musical community growing confidently in its artistic range, with pupils embracing stylistic diversity and performing with energy and conviction.
One of the most significant events of the term was the Bath Orchestral Gala Concert at the Guildhall, featuring the Senior Orchestra under the baton of international conductor Rebecca Miller. Presented under the theme Voices of Change, the concert included ambitious repertoire and performances from the exceptional KES 24 ensemble, alongside several vocal soloists. Despite the scale of the venue and the demands of the programme, pupils rose to the challenge with focus, thoughtfulness and impressive expressive maturity, particularly from the three concerto soloists.
Alongside its strong classical tradition, contemporary music continues to thrive at King Edward’s School. Pupils visited the popular YouTube channel That Pedal Show to explore guitars, effects pedals and digital music production, supporting the school’s expanding rock, pop and contemporary music programme. The Band Workshop, led by percussion specialist Matt Thorpe, has also gone from strength to strength, bringing fresh creative energy and collaborative experimentation to the Music Department.
The term concluded with a cultural enrichment day in London for forty pupils, including an exclusive tour of the London College of Music Museum, a visit to the V&A’s Theatre & Performance exhibition, and a West End performance of Hadestown. Together, these experiences enriched pupils’ understanding of music, theatre and performance beyond the classroom.
As the Spring term draws to a close, these performances and opportunities reflect a thriving and outward‑looking musical culture at KES, one that nurtures confidence, creativity and a lifelong engagement with music.
Rupert Drury, Director of Music
You can find out more about the Music programme at KES, by clicking HERE.
