The Parents and Staff Summer Soiree took place on Tuesday 14 June, in The Space.

Using the space in The Space seems such an obvious idea but who would have thought it could create such a good atmosphere?

Boyce’s Alleluia canon with groups dispersed, some up the stairs, was a rousing start to an evening of huge musical variety. Re-grouping on the floor, the parents’ choir’s performance of Faure’s 'Cantique' was all you could wish for with long flowing lines from all sections – including their regular accompanist Tau Wey. Rachmaninov’s Ave Maria – in commendable Russian – showed the richness of sound the parents are achieving at the moment; they concluded their set with Chilcott’s characterful setting of 'Greensleeves'.

For the staff offerings Sam Gladstone went to the piano and Toby Carden took over direction from within the singers. They gave us the religious ('Crux Fidelis'), the folk song ('O waly waly'), and the downright cheesy (an extraordinary arrangement of 'Over the Rainbow').

As the finale Tau Wey and the Novatus Brass group presented a re-run of their 'Rhapsody in Blue', under the inimitable direction of Barry Griffiths. This was great fun and – for those in the audience of choir members and families who’d never seen Tau as soloist – a revelation. Energetic virtuoso pianism and a fantastic level of rapport between the players.

Prosecco and canapés completed the picture – quality music-making as a group of friends.