Our first ever Silent Concert took place on Wednesday 4th December with the audience choosing between simultaneous silent piano music and a silent strings performance in the MMC Upper Foyer. With the help of some phenomenal technology from our Music Education Partners, Yamaha UK, we were delighted to invite the audience to tune in their headphones to green for piano and red for strings. It was something of a surreal experience to be at a concert where the music wasn’t immediately audible but it didn’t stop the performances drawing plenty of attention! Feedback ranged from ‘It’s incredible” to “It’s really weird” but there wasn’t anyone whose curiosity wasn’t aroused and all who listened in agreed that the music sounded wonderful! Lower Sixth musician, Emily, who performed at the concert, commented, “ It was and exciting and personally immersive experience to play on a Silent Piano.”
Members of the Yamaha UK team, who were also filming the event, described the evening as something as a first for them too as they have not previously had two different types of instrumental groups playing together. Leighton Park has been a flagship school for Yamaha UK’s Music Education Partnership since 2015 and in additional to access to incredible music technology such as that showcased by the Silent Concert, the School has benefitted from masterclasses with Yamaha’s professional artists and gained access to instruments of outstanding quality, including the CFX Concert Grand piano in Main Hall and a selection of hi tech instruments in the Music Department’s Yamaha Live Lounge, which is frequently used as a recording studio.
The Silent Concert preceded the School’s Christmas Concert played using more traditional instruments but combining traditional tunes, modern favourites and original material into a festive programme that had the audience on their feet for the fantastically energetic rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas, LP style! This is the most popular concert of the School calendar and there was a full and diverse range of performances to get everyone into the festive spirit. The Friends of Leighton Park Music, decked out in Christmas hats and jumpers, added to the Christmas theme with their refreshments including mulled wine and mince pies.
Director of Music, Rosemary Scales, reflected. “It was really exciting to put on such an innovative event and to run two concerts on the same evening was certainly a challenge. As ever, the LP community rose to the challenge and I hope everyone went home having had a great evening of festive fun!”
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