Notting Hill & Ealing Celebrates 150th Anniversary with Concert
World premiere of new piece performed by pupils at Cadogan Hall
Former pupil Angellica Bell compered the evening. Picture: Steve Gregson
March 21, 2024
The programme of events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Notting Hill and Ealing High School continued earlier this month with a concert at Cadogan Hall.
The venue in Sloane Square saw the world premiere of ‘Shooting Stars’, a specially commissioned modern classical piece by composer Kerry Andrew, which was performed by 140 students from the Senior and Junior School choirs and orchestra.
Other performances included Beethoven’s Symphony No 1; Chopin’s Concerto No 2 with Year 13 Student Ariella as soloist; ‘Vois sur ton Chemin by Bruno Coulais; Faure’s Requiem, and ‘Fever’ with soloists Salem and Lewhat from Year 12 and 13.
Concert ticket sales will support the school’s 150th Anniversary Bursary Campaign, which aims to raise enough to fund three new places.
TV presenter and 150th Bursary Appeal Ambassador, Angellica Bell hosted the concert and spoke of her own school days, how her bursary award was a lifeline and how the belief of her teachers and support of her friends gave her the confidence she has today.
“I was blessed to have been awarded a bursary at NHEHS – the drive the other students gave me, the belief teachers had in me, and since then the opportunities that have opened doors for me. It gave me an insight into what could be achieved – everyone should have that chance,” said Ms Bell.
Notting Hill and Ealing High School students performing at Cadogan Hall. Picture: Steve Gregson
Headmaster Matthew Shoults added, “Monday’s concert at Cadogan Hall was a spectacular evening, and I was so proud of all 140 musicians for their singing and playing. Kerry Andrew’s commission for us, ‘Shooting Stars’ adds a new, brilliant piece to the choral repertoire, and is a wonderful way to mark our 150th birthday. The range of ensembles and the outstanding performances reflect NHEHS’s musical heritage and continuing ambitions.”
390 individual music lessons take place each week at the school , and students rehearse in 22 different ensembles.
There have been a series of celebrations during the school’s 150th anniversary this year, with a focus on fundraising, including a book of 150 years in memories, a collection of incidents and memories from the school’s history. January saw the official opening of the new Junior School and Sixth Form space and February marked the anniversary of the move to Ealing day (from the original site in Notting Hill in 1931). The NHEHS Parents’ Guild Anniversary Ball will be held on 23 March 2024 to support the Bursary Appeal.
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