18th March 19
On Monday 11th March, four pupils participated in an incredibly exciting performance at Horse Guards Parade to celebrate Commonwealth Day and pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth.
Earlier this year the school was selected to choose four pupils to join The Commonwealth Children’s Choir, so we set about auditioning girls in Years 4 and 5 for exceptional vocal talent and performance skills, for what had been known as “Miss Lang’s special music assembly”. The lucky four – Beatrice, Grace, Lucy and Bella – were chosen and started rehearsing every day at school and at home to learn four beautiful yet challenging songs by memory.
Finally the day arrived and we set out on our journey to St James’ Park to meet with the other schools that made up the choir. After braving the cold wind and arranging ourselves into four long lines, we moved into position on Horse Guards Parade. There were lots of members of the British army and Horse Guards to ensure everything ran exactly to plan, as well as photographers and camera operators. The ceremony commenced with The Band of the Welsh Guards of the Household Division entering onto the parade through the arch whilst performing Windsor March. We performed the National Anthem, two songs written especially for the event and dedicated to the Queen, and the Commonwealth Anthem. To our surprise, we were even joined by soul singer Mica Paris for the song Believe, written and conducted by Major Simon Hall MBE!
It was a fantastic opportunity for our school to take part in such a prestigious event and the girls who took part can look forward to their names being inscribed in the Book of Honour which is presented to Her Majesty the Queen