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Spring Chamber Concert showcases excepti...

Spring Chamber Concert showcases exceptional student musicianship

The 2026 Spring Chamber Concert was a memorable evening of music with a wide range of solo and ensemble performances.

Published on 01/03/2026

A celebration of musical talent at Hills Road

The Hills Road 2026 Spring Chamber Concert took place on Thursday 26 February, and was a memorable evening of music that brought together a wide range of solo and ensemble performances. Students performed to a high standard throughout, demonstrating both confidence and musical expression in a varied and engaging programme.

A rich and varied musical programme

The concert featured a diverse selection of pieces, from well-known classical works to more technically demanding repertoire. Highlights included music by Mozart, Chopin, Bach and Shostakovich, performed with maturity and attention to detail.

A student-arranged version of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 brought together a large group of performers, including Reuben Belcher Soame (piano), Zoe Daniel (flute), Oscar Lamb (flugelhorn), Samuel Lewes (bass clarinet), Bethany Meredith (flute), Alex Greenham (bassoon), and Sophie Nuin Jones (bassoon) [Image right: Sophie and Alex on bassoon], highlighting the collaborative nature of music-making at the College.

Solo performances were also a real strength of the evening. Amalija Kotar (voice), accompanied by Chris Reid (piano), opened the concert with Handel, setting a confident tone for the evening. Pianists William Russell and Isabella Bruins delivered expressive performances of Chopin, while Marcus Chung (violin) performed Bach with clarity and control.

Emma Farmer performed Handel’s Heart, the seat of soft delight, demonstrating strong musical expression and control.

Collaboration and performance experience

Chamber ensembles also performed with strong communication and musical awareness. The performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet featured Samuel Dominey (clarinet), Justice Eggington and Johanna Milbradt (violins), Sophia Whiting (viola), and Cosimo Cavaleri (cello).

Further highlights included ensemble works such as Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2, performed by Matteo Nacher Saltara (piano), Shihua Zhao (violin) and Koko Fish (cello) [all shown, image above], and Fauré’s Piano Trio in D minor, performed by Cyrus Kwok (piano), Justice Eggington (violin) and Anderson Chan (cello).

“It’s always so uplifting to listen to students tackle such challenging repertoire with such verve, confidence and artistry. The standard of musicianship was incredibly high, and it was a privilege to watch and to listen.”
Principal Jo Trump

The concert concluded with a lively performance of Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen, performed by Shihua Zhao (violin) and Matteo Nacher Saltara (piano), bringing the evening to an energetic close.

The Chamber Concert forms part of a broader calendar of musical events at Hills Road. In March, students will be peforming at the West Road Concert Hall as part of the Spring Concert, featuring the Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, Folk Roots, Chamber Choir and College Choir.

Music at Hills Road

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