The BSN hosted the fifth COBIS Music Festival on the weekend of 3-5 May. Ten international schools took part, with a total of 150 students.
On Friday evening, all the participants enjoyed an energetic vocal workshop led by Dominic Ellis-Peckham (National Youth Choirs of Great Britain), in which a few students were invited – on the spot! – to perform a solo and to beatbox. The collaborative nature of the workshop set the tone for the weekend.
Throughout the day on Saturday, all the students performed their solos; many of them also performed as part of an ensemble – it was a fantastic day of music-making which was supported by family, friends, and all of the students taking part, who also enjoyed watching each other’s performances. Later in the afternoon, we made our way to Scheveningen for a beach BBQ and disco. Despite the unseasonably cold weather, everyone had a good time and a good dance! Some students even embraced the sea air for a quick run on the beach.
On Sunday, all the students joined an ensemble for the morning workshops. Our workshop leaders Dominic Ellis-Peckham, Ioanna Ismyridi, and Andrew Plummer (and Snack Family), worked respectively with the choir, orchestra, and rock bands. After lunch, it was time for the closing concert and to say goodbye to our visiting schools. Following the presentation of the many prizes which were awarded to students for their performances on Saturday, the choir, orchestra, and rock band, performed the pieces/improvisations which they had been working on in the morning. The concert concluded with an uplifting massed performance of Freedom! (George Michael), by all 150 students in their respective ensembles and members of the audience.
Many thanks to everyone who helped to make the festival possible, and many congratulations to all the students who took part in what was a memorable weekend.
See the photographs from the festival here [photographs by BSN Photography Students]
