Thomas' final day of school

Last night the Leavers' Concert at school went off very well. Thomas managed to rise to the occasion, after feeling so ill all week, and played very well. The piece I enjoyed the most was a pairing of Thomas on trumpet and a countertenor (falsetto) singing a piece written for Queen Anne's birthday by Handel, called Eternal Source of Light. It was sung at the wedding of Harry and Meghan and is quite a well known piece since then. It was extremely well done between the two of them, the countertenor had such control and managed to project his voice so well, not easy for a man singing such high notes.

Today was a day of sadness for Thomas as he said goodbye to his school and all his favourite members of staff. The day started with a final chapel service, where Thomas sang for the very last time in the Chapel Choir. He was very emotional when he walked out of the chapel.This was followed by speech day and prize giving where we endured the heat of the marquee (someone fainted!) but we so enjoyed listening to the incredibly talented boys who were selected to present a talk.

Then it was time for a picnic lunch on the lawn around the cricket pitch. Not much time for lunch as we went to hear the Symphony Orchestra perform Beethoven's 5th, a well known and popular symphony that they played so well. I felt very sad knowing this was the last time I would see Thomas play in that orchestra, where he has been the principal trumpeter for many years. 

A parent had organised a flypast by a Spitfire, and I managed to get a shot (see extra) but I did not have a very long lens with me so it is not very large in the frame. Then it was back into the marquee for the Jazz Band to play brilliant foot tapping numbers that we all loved.

I was very pleased that Thomas' older brothers came to celebrate his special day with him today. (Luke cancelled plans to be at Henley!) This photo is of the three boys and RB, who was the house master for all of the boys during their time at school. He wanted a photo of all three boys as he is moving on to senior management in the school and he has not seen many families of three right from the beginning to the end of their time at the school.