START YOUR
JOURNEY
START YOUR
It’s been an incredible year for Performing Arts at Scarborough College – a year full of music, drama, creativity and outstanding performances. Across every key stage and every discipline, our students have made the most of every opportunity, and the result has been a truly impressive display of artistic talent.
We were thrilled to welcome Mr Ashley Garfitt as our new Director of Music in September 2024. Mr Garfitt has picked up the baton from Mrs Leeson and continued her legacy, quickly becoming a driving force behind some of this year’s most memorable musical moments.
Now in its fourth year, Gig on the Green took yet another step forward. This year’s event featured an incredible house band – Oliver, Will, Aryana, and Mr Garfitt himself – who dedicated weekends and EP sessions to rehearsing an extensive setlist. The result? A festival-style gig filled with energy, passion and new talents that we had not heard from before. Our thanks also go to Blossom, Iulian, Sienna, Betsy, Ellie, Lily, Molly H, Molly GF and Kendall who took to the stage and dazzled the crowd.
Our Spring Concert was a showcase of musical brilliance, with students performing on piano, violin, woodwind, percussion and more. From soloists to ensemble performances, the concert was a celebration of the range of musical craft that continues to thrive at Scarborough College.
Each year our choirs and soloists take on the challenge of the Eskdale Festival, making a major impression in the scoring and standings. With the encouragement and support of our teaching team, this year’s students took a record breaking 29 first place certificates – ranging from piano solos to vocal duos, and Y6 student Hollie was crowned the best pianist of the festival in her age group. An amazing achievement by all who took part.
The festive season brought two beautiful Carol Services. The Senior School gathered in the candlelit splendour of St Mary’s Church – a service filled with traditional hymns and moments of reflection. Meanwhile, the Prep School lit up the historic St Martin’s-on-the-Hill, with Mr Richardson leading the Prep School Chamber Choir in what would be one of his final performances at Scarborough.
This year saw three fantastic stage productions, each very different but equally impressive. The Senior School took on Legally Blonde Jr and The Great Gatsby, with the latter serving as a touching final performance for many of our Year 13 leavers. Both productions revealed new talents and brought students together in unforgettable ways. In the Prep School, Mr Richardson ended his time at Scarborough College on a high with Oliver with a Twist – a beautifully staged reimagining of the classic musical.
Looking ahead, the stage is already set for more exciting performances: Six the Musical Jr in December, Animal Farm in February, a special Year 7 production of Alice in Wonderland in the summer term, and of course, the much-anticipated Prep School production, under the direction of our new Head of Prep School Music, Miss Anna Dias.
This year, we welcomed international musicians to the stage in Lisvane Hall, who each brought inspiration and insight to our students. We hosted four outstanding pianists, as well as a harpist and trombonist, each delivering professional-level performances and working directly with our music and languages students. Plans are already in motion to expand our recital programme and bring even more global talent to Scarborough.
The spirit of friendly competition was alive and well in our House Song and House Music competitions. Cooper House took the crown this year with their mash up of the songs from the film Nativity, while Zac’s last-minute performance of “Tequila” for Armstrong House proved heroic, hilarious and, importantly, point-saving – one of those moments that captures the spirit of community and sense of fun at Scarborough College.
As with everything at the College, we could not make these events happen without the dedication of our staff and student volunteers. Our thanks go to Mr Richardson (now former Head of Prep School Music), Mr Weatherhill (Drama Consultant), Mr Garfitt (Director of Music), Mrs Leeson (Head of Academic Music), and Mrs Golder (Lead English teacher in the Prep School and choreographer). We also need to recognise the invaluable contribution of Mr White and Tom (Y11), who take on lighting and sound for all events – your skill is appreciated.
From recitals to gigs, classic musicals to contemporary theatre, it has been a bumper year for Performing Arts at Scarborough College. We are so proud of every student, teacher and supporter who contributed to each and every performance.
We can’t wait to see what the 2025–26 academic year brings!
Back to News