Another Musical Feast From the Musical House

Orchard Concert Comes of Age.

Nick Woodford, aided admirably by his twin brother Tom, put together a mouth watering line up for what has become one of the hottest music events of the Shiplake Calendar- the Orchard House Charity Concert. Now in its 10th year, the quality and standards keep rising. ‘Never Knowingly Over rehearsed’ is its famous motto, but you’d never know it as each act delivered virtuoso performances.

The evening kicked off with some haunting playing. Freddie Wilcox, with a tear in his eye, signed off his fifth year with a sparkling Clarinet piece, Nick Woodford showed his star quality on the piano as he sang Mad World, and Zahra Govani transported the audience to the sultry Deep South with her dreamy version of Gershwin’s Summertime. Sam Baker bravely played Blackadder’s theme unaccompanied, and two year 9 boys made their debut. George Marsden, inspired by Freddie, played his clarinet with verve, and George Lawley tinkled the well known James Bond theme.

The two winning House Songs were greatly enjoyed by the parents. Biffy Clyro’s Many of Horror, even missing some of its singers, still sounded gorgeous, and the grins on every Orchard boys’ face as they sang Johnny B Goode was proof, if it were needed, of a house which has music at its core.

Orchard’s new year 12 boys showed their mettle (and metal!). Ollie Morgan’s band played their phenomenally catchy indie dance song London Town, Ollie Barber mesmerised us with his skilful and winsome song writing, and Rob Jones, not content with playing and singing paolo Nutini’s Autumn on the piano, then delivered a faultless version of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven on the guitar.
Tom Woodford’s band Rothko, named after the famous contemporary artist, showed their song writing skills with ‘Undone’, before blasting the audience with OutKast’s Hey Ya.

The year 11 band showed the future of rock music in Orchard is in safe hands as they stonked their way through an All Time Low number. Tim Room’s confident lead guitar was ably backed up by David Causer and Ehren Elcock on drums. Christian Gilder and Ben Peers too bravely stepped up to rock out, and then came Mr Alcock, in his final year as Housemaster, with ex Orchard front man George Twydell to end the evening with Free’s All Right Now and Eagles’ Take it Easy.

The evening raised at least £200 for the Chiltern Centre for the Disabled.