Members of the Parachute Regiment Band dropped by Christchurch Park to get Ipswich School’s Festival of Music under way.
They carried out a march past yesterday for pupils and teachers from the prep and senior schools, who gathered near the arboretum bandstand to watch them perform a number of different pieces of music while parading.
The band finished with their version of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk.
Later they staged a concert for local primary schools and then led a workshop for the 60-strong Ipswich School Concert Band, giving them a chance to work with the professional musicians on improving their skills.
Nicholas Weaver, headmaster of Ipswich School, said they were honoured to have the Parachute Regiment Band signalling the start of the eighth annual festival.
He added: “Experiencing the abilities of high calibre musicians such as those in the band is what the festival is all about and I’m pleased we were able to share this in the public arena of Christchurch Park.”
The first concert of the series featured the highly acclaimed London Mozart Players, which is the UK’s longest established chamber orchestra.
The Ipswich School Chamber Orchestra joined them to perform Holst’s St Paul’s Suite. They made way for award-winning Latvian cellist Kristiana Ignatjeva for Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major.
After the interval, the orchestra and year 13 pupil Joseph Brierly played Mozart’s Piano Concerto in No 12 in A Major K.414; to thunderous applause.
Tonight it’s the turn of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain Fellowship Octet, who will be joined by the Ipswich School Chapel Choir and Prep Super Singers.
The Ipswich School Festival of Music continues until October 17.
World class musicians still to perform include renowned left-hand alone pianist Nicholas McCarthy on Sunday afternoon and jazz musicians Alan Barnes and the Chris Ingham Trio on Monday night.
The Parachute Regiment Big Band will close this year’s festival on Tuesday evening in a joint Big Band Bonanza evening with the Ipswich School Big Band.
See www.ipswich.school/festivalofmusic for more about this year’s programme and buying tickets.
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