Proud Performances
Pupils from Westbridge Academy wowed the audience with their performances at the recent ‘Celebration 2020’ festival at Snape Maltings Concert Hall in Suffolk.
On Tuesday 3rd March, five Westbridge pupils performed as part of the six-day festival which showcases diverse music from young performers from schools and community music groups across Suffolk.
The Westbridge pupils’ performances were split into three parts – firstly, two pupils sang ‘If I Ain’t Got You’, by Alicia Keys to a backing track. A pupil then rapped his own lyrics over a beat called ‘Pretty Lies’ which was composed by another Westbridge pupil. For the performance, the beat was broken into loops and performed live on stage electronically.
The final part of the performance saw two learners singing ‘Read All About It’, by Professor Green and Emeli Sandé. They were accompanied on the piano by the Raedwald Trust’s Learning and Progress in Music tutor, Gil Walters
Robert Gildon, a professional baritone opera singer, was the compère for the evening. He interviewed the pupil who performed his own rap lyrics live on stage about his work. The pupil was able to explain how he finds writing rap lyrics a way to express his feelings, which he shared with the audience in the rap he performed.
Carey Fish, Head Teacher at the Westbridge Academy said: “We were really proud of the young people, both for their excellent performances and the work that went in prior to the show. Additionally, pupils attended the workshop on the day and the dress rehearsal for the finale, and really owned it and joined in.
“The pupil who performed their rap thanked Westbridge Academy staff for encouraging him to perform as he came off stage – he just wanted to do it all again! In fact they all did.
“Phillipa Reive, Director of Creative Campus at Snape Maltings commented after the show that the whole backstage team at Snape were ‘choked up’ over the Westbridge pupils’ performances, and the personal journeys they had made to be able to perform at the event. She complimented us all on our work.
“It was a tremendous performance all round!”
These performances underscore the commitment the Raedwald Trust has to the arts and giving pupils the opportunity to celebrate and showcase their skills. For more information about the celebration event at Snape Maltings Concert Hall, please click here.
Snape Maltings Concert Hall