Pupils play with the Band of the Household Cavalry

20 pupils had the chance to play alongside the UK's largest regular military band in concert. One pupil who sang had only found out she would be performing earlier that day- a test of her confidence and adventurousness.

“This really was the opportunity of a lifetime…”

Last Wednesday, a host of Berkhamsted musicians had an extraordinary opportunity: the chance to play alongside the largest regular military band in the UK!

The Band of the Household Cavalry is a prestigious military band with over sixty musicians. They performed a concert spectacular at the Centenary Theatre, with all proceeds going to the Household Cavalry foundation.

Joining their ranks for the evening were twenty talented pupils from across Berkhamsted Girls, Boys and Sixth. With pupils as young as Year 8 performing, this was a rare and inspiring opportunity for our musicians to learn directly from some of the military’s most high-profile performers. Several pupils were even invited to perform solos across the evening: a special memory for those musicians to carry for years to come.

Congratulations to all of the following pupils who performed with the band:

Amelia B (Y12), Isabella C (Y13), Sheung Tsz C (Y9), James C (Y10), Benjamin E (Y11), Lawrence F (Y12), Lewis G (Y12), Amelia G (Y12), Eleanor K (Y9). Rufus L (Y13), Sophie M (Y11), Charles M (Y12), Hannah M (Y13), Arthur M (Y8), Albert S (Y9), Louis S (Y12), George T (Y10), Sean W (Y12), Imogen W (Y11), Baxter Y (Y11) and Kate H (Y11).

Every pupil demonstrated remarkable confidence and professionalism as they embodied the School’s values to Be Adventurous and Aim High with Integrity. The conductor and regular band members commented that they were astonished at the exceptional standard of our Berko musicians.

Singer Kate H faced an especially demanding challenge on the day. At around 15:00, she was asked to perform a solo that same evening to the challenging song, "Into the Unknown." After a brief rehearsal, she delivered an outstanding and fearless performance to a packed 500-seat theatre. Reflecting on the experience, she said,

“I had the brilliant opportunity to sing with some of the most talented musicians I’ve ever come across - both in the Household Cavalry and our school. It was a bit of a whirlwind afternoon but after running through “Into the Unknown” a couple times with the orchestra, I felt less nervous and somewhat prepared for the performance later that evening. Everyone was so supportive and kind and this really was the opportunity of a lifetime that I’m very grateful to have been chosen for.”

Opportunities like this are invaluable for helping our pupil musicians, helping them build confidence, refine their performance skills and stretch their abilities with new challenges. Well done to every pupil who performed and demonstrated remarkable confidence and enthusiasm.