AFTER two years without events, about 120 students from a top York school were able to show off their skills at a music showcase.
The Huntington School’s Music Department’s ‘Live Lounge’ is a longtime favorite among students, families and friends and after a two-year enforced ‘Covid hiatus’ the event returned.
It was created more than a decade ago to break away from the traditional school concert format, and this year, to a sold-out crowd of 300, it featured four venues: the Disco Lounge, Jazz Lounge, Central Perk Lounge and Interval Lounge .
At each venue, students presented 30-minute sets and audiences moved from lounge to lounge to hear live performances from a range of ensembles, bands and choirs.
Each venue was brought to life for the occasion by student sound and lighting engineers, set builders and a front-of-house team.
Paula Edwards, PA of the Senior Leadership Team said: “It’s a well oiled machine and we even have students coming back from university to attend the event.
“Back then, the ‘Live Lounge’ could be accommodated in the three classrooms of the music department.
“It was an instant hit with students, parents and friends and has grown so much that it now occupies the four largest rooms in the school.
“This year, musicians presented 30-minute sets of live music at each venue.
“In addition to the current Huntington students attending the event, the music department team also welcomed alumni who missed their final live lounges in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
“It’s a wonderful tradition in Huntington’s music to grow a large musical ‘family’.”
As previously reported by The Press, Huntington, with approximately 1,526 students, appointed a permanent new principal in February this year following the retirement of John Tomsett.
Matt Smith, the former assistant principal, was temporarily appointed acting principal, taking over the role on September 1 last year.
Mr Smith said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Headmaster of The Huntington School.
“It is an honor to have been given the task of leading this extraordinary community.
“I very much look forward to working closely with staff, students, parents and school leaders to build on existing strengths and drive further school improvements.”
Mr Smith has been teaching for 19 years, having taught locally at Millthorpe and Tadcaster Grammar Schools before joining Huntington in 2014 as Head of Mathematics and becoming Deputy Head in 2017.