Upper Sixth Musicians take centre stage at annual Leavers’ Concert

Our annual Leavers’ Concert is an opportunity to put our Upper Sixth musicians in the spotlight as we thank them for their contributions to the musical life of the school and celebrate their musical achievements. 

With performances from many of the Senior School’ main ensembles, including Schola Cantorum, Concert Band and Big Band, this year’s concert on Monday, 27 April offered an eclectic and highly enjoyable programme of music from talented musicians from all year groups. 

Solo and Duet performances from our 2026 leavers were the highlights of the evening, none more so than Daniel Goharriz’s (U6GRO) solo in Shaw’s Clarinet Concerto. Accompanied by Big Band and the Senior School Ensemble, the performance brought the golden era of Big Band music to life on the Vanbrugh Theatre stage, keeping the audience spellbound from the first note to the last and truly showcasing both Daniel’s  individual excellence and the ensembles’ incredible, collective musicianship.

The music was interspersed with the students’ own reflections of their time in the music department, providing a moving and powerful narrative to the evening. 

Head of School Rory Mallinson (U6WER), who also played a saxophone solo during the concert, said: “It’s difficult to sum up in a couple of minutes what music here has meant to me. 

“Music has been a defining part of my time at school. There’s a kind of energy in music at King’s that I’ll always associate with this place, whether it’s a full ensemble rehearsal, a concert night, or just the shared buzz before walking on stage. It’s taught me how to commit to something bigger than myself, and how much better things can be when people genuinely listen to each other.”

Olivia Das (U6WAL) echoed Rory’s words and added her thanks to the people in the music department who have been such a big part of her time at King’s: “Being in musical ensembles when you are young gives you access to a network of endlessly talented and friendly older pupils and having seen them leave and go on to do brilliant things makes this next step a little less daunting for me.”

“Thank you to all of the teachers who have given me and so many others these amazing opportunities and thank you to everyone I have been lucky enough to sing and play with, whether they’re in my year, younger years or they are now former King’s pupils.”

During the evening, James Phillips (U6DUT) was presented with the King’s Young Musician of the Year Award. James is an A level musician who has been offered a place to study Music at Cambridge University with a choral scholarship. His commitment to the music school is unparalleled, attending all ensemble rehearsals throughout his A level mock exams and continuing to sing and play with a number of ensembles. 

To conclude the evening, Mrs Whitfield reflected on the contribution of our 2026 leavers: “I have always said that being a music teacher is the greatest privilege in the world and that has never been truer than with this incredible year group. From Removes – even through the days of online rehearsals during Covid – they have given so much to the music department and it has been wonderful to hear tonight about how much they have got out of it in return. 

“This is an incredibly talented year group and I know that they will continue to make music, and bring joy to others through their music. I wish them all the very best for everything that lies ahead.”