Wednesday saw the return of some much-loved members of The Abbey family, when we welcomed Fellows and long-serving members of staff who left last year.

The event began with a Fellows’ Afternoon Tea; they were then joined by last year’s staff leavers who together were treated to a spectacular concert given by some of our outstanding senior musicians.

The programme included dazzling solo performances on violin, clarinet, harp, flute and recorder, as well as uplifting music from the clarinet, saxophone and Berlioz ensembles, and the Fourth Form Choir.

Music alumna Francesca (Frankie) Richards (2019) made a return visit to give a moving rendition of Pie Jesu from Rutter’s Requiem, the performance of which secured her a choral scholarship at Homerton College, Cambridge, where she is currently in her third year.

The concert concluded with a surprise item dedicated to Mr Stephen Willis, former Director of Music. O Mio Babbino Caro was always a firm favourite of his with the Senior Choir and he was delighted to be invited by Ms Helen Bilkey, Director of Music, to take a trip down memory lane and conduct our flash-mob choir, specially created for the evening!