The Benefactors' Concert

Churcherians past and present give superb performances to mark the naming of the Donald Brooks Auditorium and to thank supporters of the School.

The tercentenary celebrations came to a fitting end at The Benefactors' Concert on 29 November, when the auditorium was named before supporters, long-standing and more recent, were treated to some amazing performances from current pupils and one Old Churcherian.

In recognition of the former Headmaster's commitment towards music at Churcher's, the Donald Brook's Auditorium was formally named with a plaque unveiled by his wife, June Brooks, herself also a long-standing supporter of the performing arts at the School, supported by current recipient of the Donald Brooks Prize for Music, Peter Elsom.

In recognition of the former Headmaster's commitment towards music at Churcher's, the Donald Brook's Auditorium was formally named with a plaque unveiled by his wife, June Brooks.

The audience of 120 from the wider Churcher's community, who had made significant contirbutions during the 300th anniversary, including gifts to the Richard Churcher Foundation, or have been long-standing to the School, were then treated to incredible solo performances by pupils from every year group:

• Olivia Wu - First Year / violin
• Jayden Siu - Second Year / marimba
• Elisa Zaman - Third Year / clarinet
• Cecily Morrogh - Fourth Year / voice
• Alex Way - Fifth Year / guitar
• Jonathan Murray - Lower Sixth / piano
• Darcia Scott - Upper Sixth / clarinet
• Arthur Bird - Upper Sixth / double bass

The baton was then handed over to Old Churcherian, Richard Saxel (92), who gave a mesmerising performance, somehow managing to combine Mozart and Wagner, on the very same piano which he learnt on all those years ago as a pupil at the School. The talent on show from Churcherians past and present clearly justify the new Music School and Auditorium, which will hopefully keep music at Churcher's in rude health for many years to come.

Old Churcherian, Richard Saxel (92) gave a mesmerising performance, on the very same piano which he learnt on all those years ago as a pupil at the School.

Once the Chair of Governors, Michael Gallagher, had thanked the pupils and the audience for their support to the School, the raked seating was pulled back and guests were treated to glasses of Churcher's 1722 fizz to round off the evening and the 300th anniversary celebrations in perfect style.

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