Ely College's Summer Serenade At Ely Cathedral

Students, staff, parents and guests assembled at Ely Cathedral on Monday June 25 for an evening of musical entertainment and a celebration of a year of music at Ely College.

This annual Summer Serenade event always provides a rich and varied programme of music, performed predominantly by current students from all year groups, but also featuring pieces by former students, by the Community Singers and by the Staff Jazz Group.

This year's programme included a set called 'polyphonic corner' performed by the College's Allegro Ensemble, and several stunning solo performances, including Rachmaninov's prelude for piano in C-sharp minor by James Fletcher, Massanet's 'Meditation' by Issy Atkinson, and  Megan Bidecant's version of Bob Dylan's 'Make You Feel My Love'.

Ely College is a 'champion school' in the national Musical Futures programme, believing that the importance children give to music should be celebrated and encouraged, and developing a curriculum that is based entirely around performance rather than theory.

Speaking after the concert, Catherine Jenkinson-Dix, Principal of Ely College said: "That the Musical Futures scheme has been a success here is evident in the beautiful music we've heard – and the breathtaking performances we've seen – here tonight. It's also reflected in the number of students who choose to take music as a GCSE option, and also in the fact that other schools seek advice and guidance from the Head of Department, Tim London, and his colleagues.

"I'm sure I speak for everyone here in the audience when I congratulate everyone whose enthusiasm and talents have made this year's summer serenade such a success."