The first full week of the Shipston Proms 2016 program included many gems (The Soul Traders, Debbie Bond Band, The Klee Quartet, The Vale Musicians and Hot Club ’42 among others) but the Shipston High School Creative Arts Music Concert was an evening of excellent performances. The musicians, aged 11-16, tutored and guided by the very impressive Head of Music Mr David Hunt played a variety of musical styles.
It 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 & Atom Gill (drums)) with Head of Music David Hunt joining them on trumpet. 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, now managed by parents/musicians.
Then on the main stage, expertly lit and audio managed by two years 10 students Steven Haynes & 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 & Caitlyn Kennedy (vocals), Thomas Cawley (piano), James Godfrey, Scott Holland & 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, including a walkabout from trombonist Hector Banks.
The other group on stage was the recently formed band Feedback (Thomas Cawley (piano), Jordan Jelf (guitar), Jamie Pullen (drums) and Sam Aubrey & 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.
Then we had a range of soloists & duets on stage with a variety of styles from classical to a 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 & Freya Liddell (vocals), Isabel Scholes (vocals) & Bertie Wells (guitar), Abel Wilson (piano).
Then Savannah Eden, who had won the 2016 Shipston Fame Fame Contest (solo/duet category) came on stage to sing (to backing tracks) “Black to Black” and “Your Heart is as Black as Night”.
Then Headteacher Mr. Gavin Saunders came up and stated “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 Mr. David Hunt for the planning and guidance of this well-choreographed event along with the Parents of Shipston High (PoSH) for decorating the hall into a nightclub atmosphere as well as providing the refreshments. Finally, I would like to thank Shipston Proms Chair Tim Porter and the rest of his committee for all their tireless work.”
To end this year’s Proms we still have Songs from the Shows (sponsored by Sheldon Bosley) on Friday 1st July (Townsend Hall) and 3rd Dimension at The George Inn Lower Brailes & First Folkin’ Friday at Cherington Arms also on Friday 1st July. On Saturday 2nd July we have Was Family and Friends entertaining an evening of light classical & film music at St. Peter’s church Whatcote.
Then to finish this year’s Shipston Proms on Saturday 2nd July we have 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 & rock & roll.
Head of Music Mr. David Hunt on trumpet
The Goin’ Local Street Party has been kindly sponsored by our Platinum sponsor Translyft Lifting Technology, whose boss George Scholes had been seen playing, during the event , with his group 3rd Dimension.
After the Shipston Proms committee take stock after another fabulous year planning will begin for the 2017 event.
