The evening was themed ‘Past and Present’, reflecting upon recent work that drama students in Year 8 have explored with the Corn Exchange. Students have been creating poems to document memories of residents at Fair Close Day Centre who have the onset of Alzheimer’s. During the course of the concert these poems were shared, including ‘Forgotten’ by Luke Diprose and Jessica Ballard. Many of the musical performances of the evening were linked towards this theme and featured students from Years 7 through to Year 12, with many high quality performances being shared. Poppy Bowness in Year 11 sang a beautiful rendition of ‘On My Own’ from Les Miserables, whilst Rebecca Arnold, Jessica Topley and Holly Jerome shared their own arrangement of ‘The Power Of Love’. Alongside this, the choirs of Speenhamland and Fir Tree Primary Schools both sang, along with the Year 4 Recorder Ensemble of Speenhamland School. 

The concert ended with only the second performance from the already well thought of Newbury Academy Trust Choir, bring together students and staff from all three schools; they sang ‘Sing!’ and ‘Titanium’. Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated part of the night was the announcement of the NAT Junior and Senior Musician of the year. Roisin Oates of Speenhamland Primary School was announced as the Junior winner for her impressive commitment to music both in school and through Berkshire Maestros. Throughout the evening, we heard each of our Senior nominees perform; Dominic Dray on trombone, Pierce Jones on saxophone, Rhiannon Moore on trumpet and Ellie Topley singing. These were high quality, polished performances, with Rhiannon Moore being announced as the 2017 winner.