Wellington College's new Performing Arts Centre opens with spectacular Gala Concert

On Friday 21st September, performers from seven local schools and community ensembles joined forces with members of the Wellington College Community for a glittering Gala Concert, marking the official opening of the G.W. Annenberg Performing Arts Centre. In the presence of HRH The Duke of Kent, talented students delighted the 900-strong audience with a colourful programme of dance, drama and music.

It was an evening of sublime contrasts. From the magnificent ‘Zadok The Priest’, performed by the Wellington College Chapel Choir to the toe-tapping Hamilton Medley from St Crispin’s School, there was something to suit every musical taste. The delights kept coming: as the Berkshire Young Voices handed over to the Eagle House Chamber Choir and the Wellington Street Crew made way for the Edgbarrow Rock Band, the mood was one of celebration and wonder. The brilliant finale, ‘From Now On’, brought all the performers to the stage - a powerful reminder of the importance of the Arts in championing diversity, creativity and togetherness.

There has been a genuine buzz and excitement around the Annenberg project since its conception. Even before the first stones were laid, the building was attracting praise for the excellence of its design – it was named the winner of the ‘Best Building in Education’ category at the World Architecture Festival in November 2015 and for this we must pay tribute to the visionary work of the architects, Studio Seilern. We are very grateful to all the donors for their incredible generosity and, in particular, to Regina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, for their belief and commitment to the project.

Julian Thomas commented: ‘This wonderful building will not only benefit the pupils and parents of Wellington but will also bring together our local community and our many partnership schools. It is to be a beacon of excellence and a powerful symbol of the way in which the Arts can transform both lives and communities.

The Gala Concert was the culmination of an incredible team effort and I wish to thank everyone involved, from the architects and designers, to the craftsmen and contractors, to the students and staff involved in putting the inaugural show together. Well done to you all!’

‘All the World’s a Stage’, said the Drama Scholars of Wellington College on Friday night and, as the Choir of The Holt School reminded us, ‘What a Wonderful World’ it is.