After months of planning and some intensive rehearsals, hundreds of children from across Basingstoke and Deane, and Hook, came together for this year's concert. The various schools formed the massed choir, chamber choir, dancers, narrators and a full orchestra. The theme of this years concert was 'All around the world.' This took us on a musical journey across all the continents with such  diverse pieces as In the Hall of the Mountain King, Shalom, Hey Mister Miller and the Three Spirituals - one of our particular favourites at St Mary's. The children were all really focused on their various conductors whether playing in the orchestra or singing in multiple parts in the choral pieces. Listening to the comments of other members of the audience, I know that they were blown away by the standards achieved by our local schools. I would, of course like to particularly mention our own children who formed the majority of the orchestra along with some of our ex-pupils, family and friends. Children from St Mary's also formed part of the chamber choir and narrators as well as performing a fabulous Bollywood inspired dance to Jai Ho. It was wonderful to see them throw themselves into the dance with smiles all around.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the concert and especially to all of the children involved on the nights and the teachers who have been working on the details for many months. It was a great way to celebrate the wealth of music that is going on in our area.