A cracker of a Christmas concert reveals a great surprise!

Over one hundred students performed in Richmond School and Sixth Form’s cracker of a Christmas concert, when a great surprise was revealed!   Unknown to the students, Stephen Boyd, Lead teacher for Music, had applied for the ‘Collabro search for Choirs’. Collabro, the 2014 Britain’s Got Talent winners, are widely regarded as the world’s number 1 musical theatre vocal harmony boy band and have a 51-date 2019 tour, performing at leading venues across the country, culminating at the Albert Hall.  Mr Boyd sent video footage and recordings of the Choir and announced at the concert that the Choir has won the audition to perform with Collabro at the Sage, Gateshead, on Monday 4th March. Over one hundred students performed in Richmond School and Sixth Form’s cracker of a Christmas concert, when a great surprise was revealed!   Unknown to the students, Stephen Boyd, Lead teacher for Music, had applied for the ‘Collabro search for Choirs’. Collabro, the 2014 Britain’s Got Talent winners, are widely regarded as the world’s number 1 musical theatre vocal harmony boy band and have a 51-date 2019 tour, performing at leading venues across the country, culminating at the Albert Hall.  Mr Boyd sent video footage and recordings of the Choir and announced at the concert that the Choir has won the audition to perform with Collabro at the Sage, Gateshead, on Monday 4th March.   The Choir will spend the day of the concert in rehearsals with Collabro, as well as having time to relax with the group and ask questions, take selfies and get autographs. The thirty-strong Choir includes students from across the School and College, and in January will be joined by Max Ferguson, Year 7 student,  himself no stranger to Britain’s Got Talent, having reached the 2018 semi-finals with the band ‘Bring It North’.   Collabro’s official announcement video can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/Collabro/videos/329621817872301/ when Richmond School’s name was unveiled.   Mr Boyd said: ”We are so excited to announce that Richmond School Choir will be performing at the Sage with Collabro, who shot to fame after winning BGT2014. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to rehearse and perform with these acclaimed artists!”   The Collabro announcement only added to the excitement of a fabulous Christmas concert, which was buzzing with festive fun and incredible talent.  The line-up of performers spanned all Year groups from the School and College, with musical genres to suit every taste, from the Jazz Band and Choir to the Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra. There were also a number of soloists and smaller groups who captivated the audience with their varied performances, including lively toe-tapping numbers, such as White Christmas and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, as well as more poignant songs, including Million Dreams and Misty. The concert could not have happened without the support of the five students working back stage, the front-of-house staff, the performers, the  PTA and, of course, the teachers leading the groups: Stephen Boyd, Mark Millman, Susan Jinks, Dave Harris, Andy Wardale and Jose Williamson.   Members of the audience were not left out and proved to be in fine voice when they were invited to join in with Let it Snow and the grand finale, A Christmas Singalong.   Catherine Brooker, Chief Executive Officer of the Areté Learning Trust, commented: “It was a wonderful concert. It was certainly a fabulous showcase for the students’ talents but perhaps even more importantly, embodied such a warm, inclusive and inspirational atmosphere. It was a privilege to be part of it.’”   Stephen Boyd, concluded: “I was so pleased for our students and their families. An enormous amount of practice goes in to make these concerts very special and it is my honour to guide our students through terrific evenings like this one!”   There’s another opportunity to listen to some wonderful Christmas music and carols from the superb groups from Richmond School and Sixth Form College  at the School’s Carol Service at St Mary’s Church at 6pm on Thursday 20th December. Everyone is welcome.