Spring Concert 2026

The main school hall came alive as students from across the school delivered an unforgettable evening of live music at this year’s Spring Concert. From solo performances to full band arrangements, the event highlighted not only exceptional musical ability but also the confidence and creativity of students across all year groups.

The concert opened in impressive fashion with Will S, who demonstrated both technical skill and musical creativity by live-looping guitars, bass guitar and drums into Logic before performing Sam Fender’s Rein Me In. It was a dynamic and ambitious start to the evening, immediately setting a high standard for the performances that followed.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the night was the number of students taking to the stage for the first time, many delivering performances with remarkable confidence. Among the standout early performances was Junqi Z, who gave a beautifully controlled rendition of Always With Me from Spirited Away on the ocarina, captivating the audience with a delicate and expressive performance.

The energy then shifted dramatically as Year 7 band Gatecrash brought excitement to the hall with a confident version of Metallica’s Enter Sandman, showing impressive stage presence and musicianship. Vocal performances also made a strong impression, with Emily B and Layla W each delivering polished, professional-quality songs, performing music by Christina Perri and Little Mix with confidence and style.

The second half of the concert opened with the “Year 10 Banned” group, whose slick and assured performance of Hey Jude quickly had the audience engaged. This was followed by an impressive drum solo from Dexter G-K, showcasing rhythm, control and flair, before a group of Year 7 girls gave a heartfelt performance of A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came shortly afterwards when Neil B received a standing ovation for his outstanding version of Frank Sinatra’s My Way. His performance was a clear highlight of the concert and drew a huge response from the audience.

To close the evening, Will S and Billy C performed two original compositions, demonstrating not only performance skill but also songwriting talent. Finally, The Status brought the curtain down in style with an energetic performance of Stereophonics’ Dakota, ending the concert on a high.

The Spring Concert was an unbelievable demonstration of the musical talent we have here at The Forest. It was a night full of variety, confidence and creativity, and a reminder of the exciting range of talent developing across the school.