SUMMER 
CONCERT 2025 
As another academic year draws to a close, it is always 
good to reflect on the events and accomplishments of the 
past twelve months in the music department. 
At the end of the previous academic year, we held our 
Summer Concert in Big School on 10th July 2025. There 
was a mix of emotions that evening; excitement for the 
long Summer break but also sadness because this was 
the last concert for three of our instrumental teachers who 
were all retiring. Tim Beilby (strings) and Harjit Singh (Asian 
percussion) had both taught here for approximately 7 
years each and had made a great impact on the musical 
life of our school. The final retiree, Tim Knight (our fabulous 
guitar teacher), had taught at HGS for more than 30 years. 
In true HGS style, there was a range of abilities, styles 
and performers that evening. The programme included 
performances from our School Orchestra, the Upper and 
Lower School Woodwind Ensembles, Brass Ensemble, 
Guitar Ensemble, Choir and Jazz Band. We were treated 
to solo items from Dhanveer Mahal (dhol), Guanghui Li 
(tuba), Teghbir Sing (tabla), Arjun Sond (saxophone), Ziona 
Paulson (flute), Enzo Lee (piano) Sebastian Fernando 
(trumpet) and Hrithik Bansal (violin). The programme 
appropriately concluded with ‘So Long, Farewell’; a 
wonderful tribute to three great teachers.
MUSIC
On December 11th 2025 we returned to St. 
Mary’s Parish Church, Handsworth for our 
Christmas Concert. The evening featured 
accomplished and well-prepared pupils in 
a variety of ensembles and many stunning 
solo performances. As always, our amazing 
instrumental teachers have supported their 
pupils and aided in preparing them to deliver 
an excellent concert. We are grateful for the 
extra time they have worked with students 
one to one, but also in ensemble settings to 
make such a wonderful concert possible. 
The evening kicked off with Mr. Kinsella’s 
debut at the helm of our senior guitar 
ensemble bringing a bit of a South American 
samba beat to the December air. As the first 
half of the concert progressed, we heard 
ragtime from Enzo Lee (piano), and the 
cheery Christmas tones of Arjun Sond on 
the tenor sax. Our HGS String ensemble 
was next and was followed by rousing 
rhythms from two dhol drum ensembles, 
then some Funk from Sebastian Fernando 
on the trumpet and even more Christmas 
cheer from the HGS Brass Ensemble. 
Next, we were swept away by Pariyansha 
who played a flute solo composed by 
Gabriel Faure. Our HGS Lower Woodwind 
Ensemble gave several new students their 
HGS concert debut. The subsequent item 
was a wonderful rendition of the Theme 
from ‘The Great Escape’ as played by 
Sukhmandeep on the trombone. Later in 
the first half we heard a funky piano duet 
by Billy and Oscar, Abel Shaine on the violin 
with an accomplished rendition of Dvorak’s 
Humoresque No. 7, and finally our resident 
Y11 band ABAA gave a convincing rendition 
of the Stone Roses’ ‘Made of Stone’ then 
they finished off the first half with their 
version of the Queen of Christmas ‘s ‘All I 
want for Christmas is You”.
The second half of the evening started 
off with our HGS School Choir singing a 
traditional Christmas carol followed by the 
less traditional Neil Diamond Classic, Sweet 
Caroline. Then we were treated to a piano 
duet by Adam and Angus performing a 
piece from the Nutcracker. Next, our three 
most advanced brass players (Sebastian, 
Guang and Sukhmandeep) 
played us some 
well-known 
Handel. Jinjie Lin, 
in a duet with Mr. Kinsella on the guitars, 
brought back the Latin flare to the night and 
was followed by our HGS Upper Woodwind 
ensemble in impressive form, with a 
performance of H. Manicini’s ‘Pink Panther’ 
theme then an item by John Williams. The 
rest of the programme included Jeren 
Okyere-Darko, who played a convincing 
rendition of ‘Hit the road Jack’, the HGS 
Jazz Band with some Christmas classics; 
The Christmas Song and Rudolph the Red-
Nosed Reindeer (where the whole audience 
joined in singing along to the stylings of this 
jazzy ensemble). Sticking with Christmas 
theme, Guang gave us a ‘Merry Little 
Christmas’ in ‘tuba style’. Then, in complete 
contrast, we enjoyed a stirring piano solo 
from Hardev Manku who will 
complete his studies at 
HGS in 2026. Finally, our 
large HGS orchestra 
brought us Holst’s ‘The 
Planets’ Medley and 
then finished the night 
off with the audience 
joining in with Merry 
Christmas Everybody. 
     CHRISTMAS CONCERT
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