Riddhi Patel (front) and the Leamington School Orchestra bring some festive cheer to Shakespeare St shoppers.
It’s been a tough year for Leamington School’s choir and orchestra, with practices disrupted and performances cancelled because of the pandemic – but students have found other ways to celebrate their music.
“2020 has not been kind to many people and for our choir and orchestra it was no different,” said Petra Gilbert, the teacher in charge of both groups.
Leamington School Choir members, from left, Kahurangi Quinlan, Anusri Ragul and Emily Comber have a blast singing for family and friends.
“Firstly we had lockdown, followed by Covid alert levels, which meant that playing instruments was out for over half the year. Our choir was denied an opportunity to sing at the Kids 4 Kids concert in Hamilton in September because it was cancelled, and the orchestra has been unable to visit rest homes to perform.
“However we were not going to let Covid have the last say.”
The choir gave a special performance for family and friends at the school hall last Thursday and on Friday morning the orchestra walked from school into Shakespeare St to give a festive performance outside the medical centre.
“I am immensely proud of every child – they are all superstars who sang and played brilliantly,” Petra said.
From left, Nevaeh Spicer, Chavi Thomas and Dana Rutten sing their hearts out at last Thursday’s concert.
