STUDENTS from Warrington’s Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School – a specialist music college – have been busy spreading musical Christmas cheer in the community.
They began by performing in Grappenhall Heyes Primary School to a packed hall of pupils and teachers.
The Brass Trio, Flute Quartet and Botelertonix, along with two vocal soloists performed a range of music with a Christmas theme.
Head of Music Annette Clarke said “The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performances and said how amazing and talented our students were. They went on to say that the performances had really got them into the festive mood.”
Then, the school visited three local residential homes and performed Christmas pieces to many of the residents.
Mrs Clarke said: “This was a very special day as it is the first time the students and older people have had the chance to celebrate Christmas together for a few years due to the pandemic. A wonderful day was had by everyone involved and some of the residents even joined in with our performances. Students took time to speak to some residents before and after the performances.”
Next, students performed at the start of the school’s Christmas Fayre and set a festive mood in the school hall.
|More than 30 students attended the annual Community Carol Evening at St Elphin’s Church, along with pupils from Brook Acre, St Elphins and Meadowside primary schools.
Mrs Clarke commented: “This evening is a very special community event and it was wonderful to see everyone coming together again. We heard a fantastic range of Christmas pieces like Carol of the Bells by the Flute Quartet, Once in Royal David’s City by the Brass Trio, Winter Wonderland, and Somewhere Only We Know by the Botelertonix. It was on a Starry Night and He is Born by St Elphin’s Choir, Merry Meadowsiders, Sparkle and Shine and Frosty the Snowman by Brook Acre.
Headteacher Beverley Scott Heron and Neve Boswell from Year 10 performed a wonderful duet of O Holy Night during the evening.
The final performance took place when the school hosted its Community Christmas Party More than 30 students performed to the party guests whilst they ate their dinner, served by the school’s hospitality students.
Meanwhile, every year, Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School produce a video as a gift to their students, which is shown on the last day of term. This year, the accompanying song was a cover version of Shakin’ Stevens “Merry Christmas Everyone”.
Previous years’ Christmas videos include “I’ll be there for you” by the Rembrandts, with the school stating that it comes with a simple message to students: “We are there for you. It may be a short, 5 worded message, but it’s meaning is unwavering and absolute. Through any and all good or bad times, we’ll be with you along every step of the way. Do not forget this.” Previous to this, Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you” was the tune, produced in 2020 after the first lockdowns of the pandemic. The message for this video was ‘never mind the presents, this year it’s all about the people’. Before this in 2019, school Graphic Designer Alice Roberts, who produces the videos, wrote and performed a school-tailored version of an Aitch song, renamed as ‘Botelertastic’. In 2018, the Greatest Showman was the theme.
Students performing at a care home
