The May Concert at GHS is always a spectacular culmination of the hard ensemble work invested by both students and staff throughout the year, and this year's concert on Thursday 7^th May was certainly no exception. Featuring over 170 girls in six senior school orchestras and bands, the standard of music-making across all year groups was very high.

The Wind Band opened the concert with a fast-paced and entertaining medley from the hit musical and film Mamma Mia, followed by a sensitive and moving arrangement of the main theme from Schindler's List. The String Orchestra similarly demonstrated their versatility through an elegant pair of Swing Waltzes by Leslie Searle combined with the rousing Medley from Pirates of the Caribbean. As has come to be expected, the Big Band rounded off the first half with their usual energetic flair, presenting arrangements of La Negra Tiene Tumbão and Play That Funky Music (White Boy).

A real highlight of the evening was the Chamber Orchestra's performance of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 by J.S. Bach. Against a highly-disciplined string orchestra, violin and flute soloists truly excelled through their polished and stylish playing. The Mathias Band followed with more music from the movies, performing spirited renditions of the title theme from Mission: Impossible and a compilation of John Williams' scores for E.T., Harry Potter and Star Wars. The Symphony Orchestra closed the concert with highly nuanced playing and an impressive programme, featuring Tchaikovsky's Marche Slave, Dvořák's Slavonic Dance, a lush orchestral arrangement of Gershwin's song The Man I Love and the Farandole from Bizet's L'Arlésienne Suite.