Shipston Proms get off to a great start

Music-making in Shipston is giving the town another highly successful Proms event.
Kinky Farnham. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PRKinky Farnham. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PR
Kinky Farnham. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PR

Among the highlights of the first full week of this year’s Proms was the Shipston High School Creative Arts Music Concert which provided an evening of excellent performances.

Others who shone under the spotlights were The Soul Traders, Debbie Bond Band, The Klee Quartet, The Vale Musicians and Hot Club ’42.

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The school concert started with the brass group - Sam Rawles (saxophone), Hector Banks (trombone), Abel Wilson (piano), Oscar Wilson (double bass), Luke Parker (electric guitar) and Jamie Pullen and Atom Gill (drums) with Head of Music David Hunt joining them on trumpet.

Savannah Eden. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PRSavannah Eden. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PR
Savannah Eden. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PR

The group has been the core of a number of school spin-offs including the Jazz Band and most notably Battered Soul from 2012, who are still performing, managed by parents/musicians.

Then on the main stage - expertly lit and audio-managed by year 10 students Steven Haynes and Charlie Thomas - came the Year 10 GCSE music group Sam Aubrey (guitar), Hector Banks (trombone), Chris Barker Harland (vocals/guitar), Emily Bagley, Jodi Bevan, Charlotte Harboard Rayner, Lauren Morris and Caitlyn Kennedy (vocals), Thomas Cawley (piano), James Godfrey, Scott Holland and Jordan Jelf (guitar) and Jamie Pullen (drums). The group had performers at the Shipston Wool Fair in May and again played several numbers to show their level of skills.

The other group on stage was the recently formed Feedback (Thomas Cawley (piano), Jordan Jelf (guitar), Jamie Pullen (drums) and Sam Aubrey and Shea Leahy (vocals and bass guitar) who had their debut at the 2016 Shipston Proms Fame Contest. They played some harder edged numbers including an Eminem rap song.

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There was a range of impressive soloists and duets on stage with a variety of styles from classical to soulful ballad from Molly Hurwood (vocals), Elicia Westmoreland (flute), Luke Parker (guitar) and Maddie Thomas (vocals), Harvey Williams (piano), Chris Barker Harland (piano), Olivia Godfrey (flute), Amber Hourigan and Freya Liddell (vocals), Isabel Scholes (vocals) and Bertie Wells (guitar) with Abel Wilson (piano).

Year 10 GCSE Music Group, Shipston High School at the Proms. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PRYear 10 GCSE Music Group, Shipston High School at the Proms. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PR
Year 10 GCSE Music Group, Shipston High School at the Proms. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PR

Savannah Eden, winner of the 2016 Shipston Fame Fame Contest (solo/duet category) came on stage to sing (to backing tracks) Back to Black and Your Heart is as Black as Night.

Shipston High head teacher Gavin Saunders said: “This was my first Music Summer Concert and I was very pleased with the very high standard of musicians from my pupils and amazed due to their young ages.

“I would especially like to thank my Head of Music David Hunt for the planning and guidance of this well choreographed event along with the parents for decorating the hall to give a night club atmosphere as well as providing the refreshments.

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“Finally I would like to thank Shipston Proms Chair Tim Porter and the rest of his committee for all their tireless work.”

Savannah Eden. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PRSavannah Eden. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PR
Savannah Eden. Picture by Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PR

There is still great Proms entertainment to enjoy. Songs from the Shows, sponsored by Sheldon Bosley, takes place on Friday, July 1 at Townsend Hall and 3rd Dimension at The George Inn, Lower Brailes and First Folkin’ Friday at Cherington Arms also on Friday, July 1. On Saturday, July 2 we have Was Family and Friends entertaining an evening of light classical and film music at St Peter’s Church, Whatcote.

Then to finish this year’s Shipston Proms on Saturday, July 2 there is the Goin’ Local Street Party in the main square in Shipston-on-Stour with a free event featuring the Fame Contest category winners and headlining two local bands - Kinky Farnham with their funk and soul led by Tom Threadgill and Wired with their funky blues, soul and rock and roll.

The Goin’ Local Street Party has been sponsored by the Proms Platinum sponsor Translyft Lighting Technology, whose boss George Scholes had been seen playing, during the event with his group 3rd Dimension.

All photos courtesy of Chris Roberts/WiderViewPhoto PR

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