Welcome
Welcome to Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College’s exciting programme of concerts and performances for 2025/26.
As always, November’s Musical Soiree and December’s Spirit of Christmas Concerts promise to deliver the highest calibre of musical performance, with gifted soloists and chamber groups alongside our larger ensembles providing two must see events for music lovers.
Escape the winter blues in January with a trip to Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ – a fast-paced and anarchic tale of mistaken identity - and prepare for an evening of jazz and soul classics when the Sir John Deane’s Big Band make their much-anticipated return for February’s Jazz Night.
In April, we welcome bands from local high schools to compete against our students in the 12th annual ‘Battle of the Bands’, an event that grows in popularity every year.
Finally, we end the year by celebrating the work of our vocational students in our BTEC Performing Arts Showcase.
We really do look forward to welcoming you to Sir John Deane’s to share in the incredible talents of all our performers and student technical crew.
Rebeccah Homer Head of Performing Arts
Tickets for all the events advertised in this brochure will be available via the college website.
For more information, visit sjd.ac.uk
Cover: Jacob Crowson & Betty Mazzag
Bridgewater High School & Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Jonathan Morgan
Helsby High School
Musical Soirée
Join us as our talented musicians kick off the concert season with an evening of classical music. The programme features a mix of solo and small ensemble performances, highlighting a range of styles and musical expression.
Thursday 13th November, 7pm
Venue: Brunner Hall, Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College
Tickets: £3.50
Spirit of Christmas
Christmas at Sir John Deane’s wouldn’t be complete without our much-loved annual musical celebration. Come along for an evening of classic carols and festive sing-alongs, featuring seasonal favourites guaranteed to get you in the spirit. Tickets are expected to sell out so book early to avoid disappointment.
Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th December, 7pm
Venue: Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College Theatre
Tickets: £5
Ruby Ellis Knutsford Academy
Rafael Davidson Sousa Queens Park High School
Jazz Night
The college’s renowned ‘Big Band’ is back this February at the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa. Get ready for a stylish evening filled with 60s soul and timeless swing classics.
Thursday 5th February, 7pm
Venue: The Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa
Tickets: £8 / £5 students
Maria Christian (Legally Blonde, 2025)
Tarporley High School
When Antipholus and his servant Dromio arrive in Ephesus, they have no idea that the town is home to their long-lost identical twins… who also happen to be called Antipholus and Dromio. Chaos ensues, in Shakespeare’s shortest and most anarchic comedy.
Escape the January blues and join our talented student cast and crew in sunny Ephesus, for a joyfilled evening of mistaken identities and heartfelt reunions.
Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th January, 7pm
Venue: Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College Theatre
Tickets: £8 / £5 for students
Battle of the Bands
Don’t miss your chance to catch the hottest tickets aroundBattle of the Bands is back! Showcasing fresh talent from across Cheshire, this high-energy event invites up-and-coming school bands to compete for the top spot. Get ready for a night packed with indie-pop, rock, metal, funk, and more. Entries now open to bands from local schools.
Wednesday 1st April, 7pm
Venue: Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College Theatre
Tickets: £2
Isaac Cummins
The County High School Leftwich
Abi Hilton & Emilia Pearce
Weaverham High School & King’s School Macclesfield
BTEC Performing Arts
Showcase
Join us as we celebrate our Year 12 BTEC Performing Arts students in a spectacular showcase of music and dance. Prepare to be dazzled with performances from a number of hit musicals including ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Guys & Dolls’ and ‘Top Hat’ in an exciting culmination of Year 12 assessment work from throughout the year.
Wednesday 20th May, 6pm
Venue: Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College Theatre
Tickets: Free (booking is essential)
Music & Performing Arts at Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College
A rich Performing Arts programme allows Sir John Deane’s students to flourish on stage and behind the scenes. Students love learning here and every year we are oversubscribed with applicants hoping to take advantage of what the college has to offer. Recent alumni from the Performing Arts department have gone on to study at some of the top vocational institutions in the UK and secure professional contracts in the industry.
Josh Bennett (Weaverham High School)
Musical Theatre at Trinity Laban
Matt Betteridge (Helsby High School)
Music and Sound Engineering (Tonmeister) at the University of Surrey
Charlie Bibby (Hartford CE High School)
Musical Theatre at Performers College
Kate Burge (Helsby High School)
Stage Management and Technical Theatre at the Royal Welsh Academy of Music and Drama
Maria Christian (Tarporley High School)
Musical Theatre at the Arden School
Marcel Cress (The County High School Leftwich)
Music at the Royal Academy
Jake Hutchinson & Ciaran Sage (The County High School Leftwich)
Music and Sound Engineering (Tonmeister) at the University of Surrey
Emilia Malcolm (Sandbach County High School for Girls)
Musical Theatre at Bird College
Zak Marmont (Sandbach School)
Musical Theatre at Trinity Laban
Nina Martin (Hartford CE High School) Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music
Ben Mather-Dodd (The Grange School)
Musical Theatre at Trinity Laban
Finn Richards (Bridgewater High School)
Music Production at LIPA
Holly Salisbury (The County High School Leftwich)
Musical Theatre at Italia Conti
Bo Totterdell (Hartford CE High School)
Musical Theatre at Leeds Conservatoire
Grace Whatmough (Bishop Heber County High School)
Acting at Italia Conti
Madeline Yates (Hartford CE High School)
Acting at Italia Conti
Marcel Cress
The County High School Leftwich
