Wootton Upper School is celebrating its 50th anniversary this Saturday (27 September) with an Alumni Concert featuring over 75 former pupils and staff who are returning from far and wide for the occasion.
The concert, which will take place at the school, will feature six long-standing ensembles led by esteemed former students and staff, including Ian Smith (Orchestra), Rachel Nicholls (Vocalise), Chris Chalmers (Soul Band), Barrie Johnson (Concert Band), Malcolm Chalmers (Male Force) and Tom Syson (Big Band).
The alumni are reassembling to celebrate the success of music at the school and to help reinvigorate the school’s current arts department, with all proceeds of the concert going towards supporting the next generation of Wootton music students to achieve excellence.
You can buy tickets here.
Talking about the significance of his musical education at Wootton, Simon Lodge (Professional Trombonist, Lead Trombone of Beats & Pieces Big Band) told the Bedford Clanger: “Whenever I describe my High School to friends and colleagues, they can’t believe how many amazing opportunities I had.
“My time at Wootton really set me up for success in the arts and was so fun and rewarding. I’m delighted to be returning to catch up with old friends and make music together again.”
Professional opera singer, Rachael Brimley, said: “I owe a great deal to Wootton Upper School – it’s where I began to learn my craft.
“I’m looking forward to coming back this weekend and playing my part in the celebrations and the transformation of the music department again.
“It’ll be a great honour to perform with my peers again and all of the fantastic alumni Wootton has produced in the last 50 years.”
Wootton alumnus Hannah Meadows, who has gone on to become head of music at Samuel Whitbread Community College, said: “Having the chance to play again at the upper school that helped shape my career and musical journey is really exciting.
“Playing alongside some of the people I went to school with, as well as others I’ve met over the years since leaving, is a wonderful opportunity that will hopefully inspire younger, aspiring students to pursue their own musical careers.”
The event is sure to be not only an emotional reunion but also a timely reminder of the importance of the arts within education. Here’s to the next 50 years…
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