Woodham students once again demonstrated their talent and dedication in last week’s annual Christmas concert. Students from across the school performed to a packed hall, with a varied programme of music and dance.
The regular extra-curricular ensembles were in attendance, with performances from Woodham Jazz Band, Instrumental Group, Samba Band and Woodham Sound. Woodham Samba Band has recently grown in size due to an influx of new talent, and is looking forward to building on its existing repertoire.
Notable performances included Caitlin Finn (Y10), who sang a moving version of ‘Somewhere Only We Know’, and Amy Taylor (Y9) who performed her first solo ‘Solveig’s Song’ on her cornet, after recently passing her grade 5 exam with merit. Y8 student Kate Reynoldson performed a lovely piano solo of the Taylor Swift track ‘A Thousand Years’, impressing many with her confidence and musicality.
GCSE students Keira Durham, Gaynor Lambert and Francesca Porritt gave their version of the John Newman song ‘Love Me Again’, ably accompanied by Y10 students Sam Gittins on piano, Jonathan Jarvis on guitar, Lewis Walker on bass and Y11’s Jack Jacob on drums. Keira, Gaynor and Fran are becoming seasoned performers – as well as their involvement in the music department productions, they are regulars at the Aycliffe Young Talent Project, which is a non-profit organisation aimed at giving young musicians the opportunity to perform in public.
Woodham Dance Academy also gave strong performances, particularly a GCSE dance composition choreographed by the Y10 students with their teacher, Miss Minervini. Dance students are looking forward to their own showcase performance which is due to be held on the 14th May.
Many of these groups continue to go from strength to strength. Woodham Sound performed several Christmas items singing in two part harmony. This was then followed by Woodham Vocal Group who created a ‘magical’ atmosphere with their rendition of ‘O Holy Night’, sung in three part harmony. This performance was repeated at the Aycliffe Community Christmas Concert held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre. This Group, together with some students from Greenfield, were also invited to attend this event in order to accompany the carol singing.
With Christmas concerts now out of the way, the music department is soon to start preparing for its next event, the spectacular ‘Woodham’s Got Talent’, which will take place on the 12th March. For more information on any of the Performing Arts productions taking place this year, please contact Woodham Academy.
