Abbey Gate College Celebrates 40 Years with Special Gala Concert

06 Aug 2017

On Tuesday 4 July, Chester based independent school Abbey Gate College hosted a special Gala Concert as it marked its 40 years anniversary.

As part of the concert, 75 past choir members joined the current choir producing a spectacular sound of 140 voices. The concert was directed by Mr Stewart Smith who is retiring after 39 and a half years as Director of Music. During this time, he has led a thriving music department with many of his former pupils progressing to careers in opera, music production and cathedral music.

At the concert, the audience also enjoyed performances from the Infant and Junior School choir, instrumentalists, and vocalists.

The choir has sung in most English cathedrals including London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, where they will return to in April 2018. The choir has also toured to various locations including France, Belgium (Menin Gate), St Mark’s Venice, Germany, Italy, Holland, Denmark and the west and east coast of the USA on two occasions.

The concert also welcomed the new Head of Music, James Andrews who, as well as being a former pupil of the College, is an ex-Head Chorister of Chester Cathedral and a graduate of the Birmingham Conservatoire. He begins his post in September 2017. For videos of the night’s performances go to the Abbey Gate College YouTube channel.