The annual Spring Concert at St. Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel was once again an opportunity for the students to display their vast array of talent on stage. In front a packed school assembly hall, students from all year groups performed magnificently at their school’s annual Spring Concert. As has been the case with concerts in previous years, the variety of talents on display incorporated the array of music, song and drama excellence, being nurtured at St. Louis. The Spring concert was under the musical direction of Head of Music, Mrs Derbhla McDonnagh, with the assistance of music tutor Mrs Linda Boucher, and was produced by Mr Tim Brown.

The show opened with a French theme to welcome students from Lycee d’Authie, Doullens in Picardie, to the concert. Two French A Level Students, Daniel Goodwin and Jill Clerkin, displayed their linguistic skills as well as their obvious musical talent to perform “La Vie en Rose”.

Co-ordinated by Linda Boucher, the Junior Choir and Junior Guitar Group were up next to entertain the audience with some contemporary songs. First up was a lively rendition of Ed Sheran’s “Nancy Mulligan”. This was followed by Coldplay’s’ “The Scientist” during the which choir members were able to display some excellent harmonies.

In a change of tempo and offering a throw-back in time to celebrate a legend, Year 8 student Tommy Cunningham paid homage to ‘old blue-eyes’ Frank Sinatra. Displaying confidence and ability way beyond his 12 years, Tommy, who has performed in musicals in the Grand Opera House in Belfast, entertained the audience with an amazing version of “My Way”.

Displaying the extent of variety of talent at St. Louis, Mrs Cunningham’s Year 12 Drama class captivated the audience with their performance of “Living with Lady Macbeth”. The students had delivered this same drama for their GCSE moderation the previous day.

As the interlude approached, Head of Music Mrs Dearbla McDonagh along with her Orchestral Ensemble celebrated the wonderful music of movie legend Ennio Morricone. Soon the hall was filled with classics such as the theme to the spaghetti western “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” and the beautifully haunting yet mesmerising “Gabriel’s Oboe”- theme from the movie, The Mission.

After a short interlude, during which raffle tickets were sold to raise money for the St. Louis Missions and “MyMy” charities, the audience were treated to a change of musical genres once again, as the air was filled Irish music.

Getting the feet tapping the St. Louis Trad Group offered up a number of reels and “An Droichead” Slip Jig Set. Following this two students who have excelled in national singing competitions over the past year showed why their voices are much heralded. Cathleen Garland, an All-Ireland champion in Fleadh competition, delivered a beautiful rendition of Rathlin Island, whilst All-Ireland Scor Champion, Niamh McDowell sang the much celebrated “Song for Ireland”. The Irish section was completed with the Trad group playing music for “The Island” which was led by the highly talented Oisin McCann.

Changing tempo and genre once again the young musicians at the St. Louis Spring Concert delivered renditions of more modern rock songs. In what appeared to be a ‘Battle of the Bands” scenario, the audience were treated to “Its all about You” (McFly) from the Year 11 Band, “Prey” (The Neighbourhood) from the Year 13 Band and “What you know/Bet you look good on the dancefloor” (Artic Monkeys) from the Year 14 Band (Seatruck).

Now it was time for the choirs to take centre stage. St. Louis Senior Choir were first up with a wonderfully mellow rendition of Oasis’s classic “Half a World Away”. The Concert concluded as the Junior Choir joined forces with the Senior Choir as “Human” by the Killers was given the St. Louis treatment.

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