Over 250 Crosby students take to the Liverpool Philharmonic

Over 250 pupils from St Mary’s College and Preparatory School in Crosby took part in the school’s annual Festival of Music at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool.

The concert featured a wide range of musical ensembles including St Mary’s award-winning Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Band, Stage Band, and a range of choirs. The compere for the event was former BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Phillips, and the ensembles were conducted by St. Mary’s director of music Andrew Byers, and his colleagues Colin Johnston and Joanne Booth.

As usual the concert featured an ambitious and eclectic repertoire from different periods and around the globe which took the audience on a musical journey.

Audience members also enjoyed diverse musical treats like the finale to Beethoven’s Symphony No 5 and Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture.

The soloists at this year’s concert were Victoria McKinleySmith who performed the Molto Allegro from the Clarinet Sonata by Saint-Saens, and pianist Juliette Duncan.

Speaking after the concert, Andrew Byers said: “This is the 23rd time that we have staged our Festival of Music at the Phil, and I can pay this year’s performers no higher tribute than to say they maintained the exceptional standards set by their predecessors.

“This reflects both their musical skills and the incredible amount of effort they all put in to preparing for the concert, and they rightly received a wonderful ovation from the audience at the end of the evening.”

St. Mary’s College principal, Mike Kennedy, added: “Tonight’s concert was the product of many months of dedication and hard work by our pupils, and the teachers and parents who support them.

“At St. Mary’s we believe that music is a wonderful vehicle for developing students beyond the purely academic and shaping their characters and personalities in new and often surprising ways.”