Musical Theatre is another area of College music that has seen significant growth in recent times. This is due in no small part to Matt Blaker, one of our many singing teachers and himself a professional musical theatre actor and singer. He is currently playing the part of Raoul in the West End production of Phantom Of The Opera, and when he invited some Bradfield pupils to come to the show, we saw an opportunity.
The new Richard Osborne Fund, which was set up by Old Bradfieldian John Lyon (C 65-69), aims to fund trips for enthusiastic musicians to concerts and shows and this provided the perfect opportunity for an evening of West End magic. The department and the pupils would very much like to thank John for his generosity in enabling this and future trips to take place.
This year’s Michaelmas Concert was rebranded as the Michaelmas Cabaret due to the pupils desire to perform a real variety of music. Featuring more than 100 pupils, from all Houses, all year groups, some who are Scholars and some who do not even have music lessons, this event epitomised the inclusivity that the Music Department fosters. The show opened with a debut performance from our Musical Theatre Group including numbers from Sweet Charity, Catch Me If You Can and Chicago.
Our ensembles took to the stage in the second section, displaying the vibrancy of friends collaborating, and the hours of individual practice and group rehearsals, culminating in the making of music together on stage. The evening concluded with performances by the College’s Ensembles with all eighty pupils in the Bradfield Voices taking to the stage for the finale accompanied by the Big Band in an epic rendition of Can’t Help Falling In Love.
