This event gave more than 100 pupils the opportunity to perform a wide range of music genres to a packed auditorium of parents, friends and relatives.

At the event, this year’s Festival of Music was launched and will see the life and times of Thomas Wolsey celebrated through music and words as the School joins in with Ipswich’s commemorations of the birth of the town’s most famous son. Locally based, acclaimed tenor Richard Edgar-Wilson (OI 1974-81) will bring Wolsey’s story to life, alongside performances from Ipswich School’s Wolsey Consort singers and early music trio Hexachordia in the opening event of the Festival on Thursday 5th October 2023.

The ever popular Jazz Night will be held on Friday the 6th October when the audience will be treated to festival favourites, the Chris Ingham Quartet, with jazz violinist Ben Holder – the most acclaimed and exciting jazz violinist in the UK!

Saturday sees a Symphony Night in Great School, when the Prometheus Orchestra will play some fabulous classical music side by side with School musicians, including Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. The Festival rounds off on Sunday 8th October with an Evensong at St Mary-le-Tower Church in Ipswich. Ipswich School Chapel Choir will take part in a joint event to commemorate Thomas Wolsey with  uplifting music and a chance to pause and reflect.

The primary sponsor of the Festival is Karl Daniels (OI 1944-53), a jazz lover and pianist and a strong supporter of the School. And the Old Ipswichian Club is  sponsoring the opening night concert. 

Mrs Steensma, Director of Music and the Festival Director, said: “This is now our 13th year of the Festival of Music, and we are delighted to bring some firsts to the Festival, including a joint Evensong in the centre of Ipswich, and a wider education programme – Festival Plus - with events being held before and during the Festival weekend. We hope to see lots of Festival fans in the autumn and many new faces too.”

Tickets are on sale online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ipswich-school

Prices are as follows:
• Opening night – special Wolsey 550 price: £15.50 – adults; £5.50 – students (no concessions)
• Jazz Night: £19 – adults; £17 – concessions; £7 – students
• Symphony Night: £19 – adults; £17 – concessions; £7 – students
• Sunday Evensong – Admission free with a retiring collection

We hope to see you there.