The Front Field was transformed from the peaceful scene it’d been just an hour before. Students, staff and visitors flooded in from all corners of the school, whilst the many stalls and mobile restaurants prepared themselves for customers. The Marquee was a hub of activity and life, with paintings submitted from all years arranged to form a display.
With a beautiful opening ceremony by the Pipes and Drums- and an enthusiastic piper playing on the roof- Summer Arts Evening 2026 opened on Monday 29th June. From there, the evening immediatelyoffered a flurry of talent, wonder, and pure dedication from all corners of the Creative Arts department.
Opening as the first bagpipe notes were played, the Summer Arts exhibition held in the Marquee swung its doors wide for all visitors to see. With entries by artists from Year 7 all the way to professionals outside of school, the tent immediately filled with enthralled visitors looking to examine all forms of talent. From GCSE and A-Level art to casual patterns and scenery, it was clear all had infused their own passions and dreams into their artwork.
Outside, different ensembles and bands took to the stage. Warming the audience and immediately getting smiles all around, Holy Trinity students came on next. Singing popular hits to clapping crowds and bursting with excitement, they’d clearly cast a thrilled atmosphere by the time they wrapped up.
As Summer Arts moved on in full stride, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Jazz all took their turn at bat throughout the event. Singing and playing hits everyone quickly recognised, saxophones and orchestral instruments brought a grooving take on the evening as the audience sat excitedly. It was clear they’d all raised the bar very high for each ensemble afterwards.
Every single performance on stage was absolutely exceptional. From Ms Scotson and two senior bagpiping students playing soulful harmonies to Year 9 and 10 rock bands jamming lively ballads, every single word and note captured the audience’s attention.
Semper Fidelis Singers got the crowd excited with electric renditions of well-known songs, whilst the Boys and Girls’ Choirs gave their all through carefully choreographed dances and catchy harmonies. The Dance ensemble, consisting of students across various years, hopped, skipped and jumped to ABBA’s Voulez-Vous, whilst the incredible Junior Musical Theatre Group acted and sang to tracks from Paddington: The Musical.
The Upper School, some of whom would bid Gordons’ farewell in the coming days, knocked their performances out of the park. Years 11 and 13 both produced vocal groups, featuring gentle strumming guitars and beautifully placed harmonies. In addition, the Senior and Scholar Musical Theatre Groups sang through Broadway and West End hit songs, every word leaning the audience further off the edge of their seats. Confetti cannons fired at the end sent colourful clouds of paper bursting into the sky, falling to rapturous applause and beaming students.
To finish the evening, the Pipes and Drums returned once again with big smiles and an even bigger performance. Wrapping off the evening with bagpipes and thumping drums, Summer Arts Evening 2026 closed to a thrilled audience. The event had closed, but the enthusiasm and inspiration from every student taking part will continue to draw larger and larger audiences for many years to come.
- Daniella