PARTY ON THE PADDOCK

As I stepped into the vast summer marquee for the inaugural Party on the Paddock, the buzz of excitement was palpable. The stage was set and I couldn't wait to hear what my fellow students had in store for us. Parents and students drifted in, laden with picnics and hampers for the first time since the early days of the Pears School Charity Cabarets, ready to enjoy an afternoon of light dining and informal musical entertainment. As the lights dimmed my fellow Sax-Pack players and I took to the stage, and the concert began…

Each act was more impressive than the last, with a diverse range of styles and genres on display. There was something for everyone to enjoy: Reims W’s When You Say Nothing at All, and Ben B-M’s blazing rendition of Great Balls of Fire –literally lighting up the Upper Sixth in their final concert at the School; the airy sounds of the Flute Ensemble were in stark contrast to the stronger forces of the Brass Ensemble; the Repton Prep Jazz Band bringing back fond memories for me with their skilful renditions of jazzy classics such as Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, a firm favourite of the band; and, of course, the Senior School Jazz Band was in superb form, along with Repton Symphonic Winds, in their respective sets of jazz standards and film and musical scores.

Everyone involved had worked hard to put on a great show, with special thanks to Mr Fairbrother, and there was a shared sense of pride and enjoyment amongst both performers and audience. As the final notes of the last song echoed across the summer evening, I couldn't help but feel a sense of bittersweetness. The Party on the Paddock ’22 was over, but it had certainly been an evening to remember. Roll on next year!

Seb R (11P)