Woodbridge School’s Annual Chamber Concert, St Mary’s Church, 2026
The atmosphere at St Mary’s Church was one of anticipation on Thursday 29 January as family, staff and friends gathered for the annual Chamber Concert. While the historic stone walls were notably chilly due to a lack of heating, the cold was quickly forgotten as our enthusiastic audience filled the pews. The superb acoustics of St Mary’s Church provided the perfect resonant backdrop for chamber music, Miss Weston, our Head of Singing, shares more from the evening.
The 2026 Chamber Concert
The commitment and hard work of our students was evident; their dedication to taking on such a complex repertoire shone through. Throughout the evening, Nadia Alzapiedi conducted with her usual aplomb, providing a dynamic energy that brought the very best out of the musicians. Andrew Gosden accompanied our soloists with the support and nurturing that only comes from considerable experience with young performers.
The concert was elevated by the exceptional talent of our soloists, who demonstrated remarkable technical command and hours of diligent practice. Year 10’s Barnaby delivered a sensitive and lyrical rendition of Hegner’s Romance on the double bass, while Year 8’s Jordan tackled the intricate Concerto for Violin in A Minor by J.S. Bach with impressive precision. Year 9’s Hexi transported the audience with a passionate and mature violin performance of Gardel’s Por Una Cabeza.
On the piano, Year 12’s Oscar provided a deeply soulful and technically nuanced interpretation of Brahms’ Intermezzo op. 118, no.2. A standout moment of the evening was provided by Year 12’s Alex C; performing with flair, Alex utilized the church’s grand pipes perfectly for Balbastre’s La Canonnade on the organ.
The evening featured a variety of dedicated ensembles, starting with Seckford Strings, who delivered a stirring Ashokan Farewell and the lively Drunken Sailor. The Mozart Quartet followed with the Solemn March from Judas Maccabeus, while the Senior String Quartet brought a seasonal twist with Harvest Home from Vivaldi’s Autumn. A particular highlight was the performance by Cellisti; it is a rare and wonderful treat to have a dedicated cello ensemble in a school setting; they captivated the audience with the whimsical La Valse d’ Amelie and the evocative Highland Cathedral.
The Chamber Orchestra provided a spectacular conclusion to the night. Their repertoire was impressively diverse, moving from the dramatic Swan Lake – Scene and Valse, to the hauntingly beautiful Gabriel’s Oboe. They ended the evening on a high note with a spirited performance of Offenbach’s The Can-Can, leaving the audience in high spirits. This success is a credit to the tireless work of the students and the vibrant Music department at Woodbridge School.
