Their final countdown: QE bids a grand musical farewell

Well over 400 pupils performed in the Leavers’ Concert, with many from the lower years turning out to support the musicians of Year 13.

The Class of 2026 have made a significant impact on music at QE. To name just three of their number – and there are many similar examples – Leo Sellis and Ryuki Watanabe form the backbone of several ensembles, which they encourage to take on more complex repertoire, while accomplished accompanist Colin Copcea provides essential support at rehearsals and performances.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “This was an outstanding concert, celebrating senior musicians who have contributed greatly to our supportive QE music community and thus have played a part in developing the confidence, skills and enjoyment of other pupils.”

The Leavers’ Concert was played to a sell-out audience in the Shearly Hall. It began, appropriately enough, with The Final Countdown by Europe, played by a specially formed Year 13 ensemble.

The remainder of the programme featured genres ranging from jazz to rock, from film music to ragtime (Scott Joplin’s Bethena Waltz, performed by the Junior Strings). Many of the ensembles were directed by Sixth Form musicians.

The end of the first half saw the School Orchestra take their places to perform, firstly, selections from Grieg’s Peer Gynt (together with the Senior Strings ensemble), and then pieces by Prokofiev and Debussy.

After enjoying interval refreshments served in the Dining Hall, the audience returned to hear the second half get under way with the Indian Ensemble performing works from both south and north India.

Towards the conclusion of the programme, the Headmaster stepped forward to present Music colours, with Mathematics teacher Navjeet Swatch, QE’s ‘resident’ tuba player, honoured alongside pupils.

The boys themselves offered their heartfelt thanks to Music teachers Caroline Grint and Jas Hutchinson-Bazely, and to Head of Department Ruth Partington, who joined QE as Director of Music on the same day they started in Year 7 in September 2019.

A grand finale saw the School Choir and Orchestra massing to perform excerpts from Les Misérables.

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