A night at the Corn Exchange: Hills Road's 50th Anniversary…

On 11 March 2025, the Hills Road community gathered at the Cambridge Corn Exchange for a "big birthday party", to quote SuRie...

A star-studded stage...

With over 300 performers, the evening was a dazzling display of talent, passion, dedication and pride. Familiar faces returned to wow the audience, as alumni of Hills Road took to the stage alongside current students in a very fitting tribute to the reach and impact of the College's five decades.

We were privileged indeed to have Hills alumni and brother-and-sister talent extraordinaries Susanna (SuRie) and Benedict Cork as the evening’s lively hosts - and the programme was peppered with former students, too.

From an enchanting interpretation of Dancing in the Dark featuring alumnae Maddie Combes and Abigail Halliday (think Springsteen, but on a haunting summer evening!), to an 'expanded edition' of the much-loved Folk Roots group that united talents past and present, it was truly a joy to see so many celebrating the College on stage as well as in the audience.

Alumnus Jordan Ashman opened the extravaganza with a captivating performance that showcased his virtuoso range of percussion skills. Jordan was winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year 2022 and we were delighted to welcome him back for the occasion.

Paying homage to five decades

From Star Wars to Spice Girls...

Since its foundation in 1974, Hills Road has journeyed through eras and embraced change. In a very fitting tribute, the evening's jam-packed programme whisked the audience to various musical highlights from the last century.

Nostalgia abound as the College Choir celebrated fellow '1970s founded' icons ABBA... Who could resist singing along during their joyful and rousing medley of some of their most iconic 70s and 80s hits?!

Hills Road Wind Orchestra stunned in the first half with the powerful melody of Soaring by John Williams, a piece well known as the film score for Superman. Their masterful performance of the Star Wars theme tune was yet another incredible tribute to Hills Road's founding decade.

Shortly after, the stage was filled with energy and exuberance as Year 12 Dance students upped the tempo, taking the audience on a trip through time with their joyful, upbeat homage to popular music spanning the five decades of the College. We challenge anyone to not enjoy a performance featuring the classic Spice Up Your Life!

Reviving 'girl power' in a very different way (we're looking at you, Wednesday Addams...), nostalgic 90s classic The Addams Family was brought to life in the second half. Hills Road's Performing Arts students lit up the stage with their incredibly staged songs from the musical adaptation.

The energy and atmosphere were just joyous, and you couldn’t help but feel proud to be part of the Hills Road journey.
Year 13 Parent

A second half of surprises

The first half flew by and the interval offered a well deserved break to performers. But the magic was far from over - as attendees settled in for the second half, the air was filled with the sound of brass and drums, and the aisles suddenly filled with student dancers and musicians. The entire auditorium was delighted by a surprise flash-mob performance by the entirely student-led Zach Chung Tech Team, with renditions of Sweet Dreams, Billie Jean and Seven Nation Army.

Year 12 dancers returned to the stage with a graceful performance of Memories, followed by the Ollie Massey Band, delivering a passionate rendition of Old Love, highlighted by exceptional guitar skills.

Nods to nostalgia

As well as a whistle-stop tour of musical influences, the evening offered up a celebration of well-loved classics that have stood the test of time (just like our College?!).

Hills Road student Jade Mearns delivered a moving rendition of Feeling Good, while Drama students brought the haunting world of Wuthering Heights to life in a captivating excerpt.

Our penultimate act shed a touching insight into what the concept of 'Hills Road' meant to alumni compere pair, SuRie and Benedict. It felt like the entire Corn Exchange was holding its breath through their a soaring trio of songs: each one a tribute to their favourite memories during their time at the College.

Grand Finale

A grand evening only deserves the grandest of finales, and the Jazz Orchestra certainly delivered! Conducted by long-time College music tutor and Hills Road parent Trevor Barlow, they electrified the Corn Exchange under the neon glow of a 'Hills Road Jazz Club' sign. They closed the night with the iconic Gonna Fly Now, known to many as the theme from Rocky. Needless to say: audience members were certainly flying high when leaving.

To anyone who might be taking notes for the 75th or indeed 100th anniversary of the College: this celebration will be hard to beat!

Wow. What a fantastic night! Everyone put on such a stellar display of talent. Very inspiring and uplifting. Students and staff should be commended for their efforts and for their professional performances throughout the evening.
Hills Road Governor