Our second Songfest took place this weekend, with the aim of celebrating the richness and variety of singing at Eton.
This year’s Songfest included some fantastic collaborations across the school, including working with the drama department, who provided some of the cast principals from this year’s production of The Producers. This resulted in an inspirational musical theatre masterclass from the well-known actor and singer Julian Ovenden OE.
We were also delighted to collaborate with the French department to present a soirée of late 19th Century poetry and song. ADH, AT and Philip Balkan OS (JCAJ) presented the poets, whilst some of our best classical singers declaimed poetry and sang settings by Hahn, Viardot, Gounod, Chausson and Fauré. A premiere of a setting of Rimbaud’s Sensation by Jack Van den Heuval KS MS in F Block demonstrated the musical talent at all ages across the school.
The Royal College of Organists and a day featuring the Tudor organs in College Chapel was illustrated by a group of four choral singers singing Tallis. We were also grateful that Eton College Library opened the Verey Gallery for a private talk from MAOD on the Eton Choirbook. An Open Mic session revealed plenty of young talent and rehearsals, with both Chapel Choirs were open to visitors and the final Showcase Concert on Sunday afternoon featured our ever popular Pop Choir, Incognitos and Etonality.
Our Songfest 2020 video is on Instagram now.
