With Heart, and Hands and Voices

Raising the roof and proving once and for all that LEH Music Lives On, the massed ranks of alumnae and pupils sang for all they were worth, and the audience responded in kind for this special performance to benefit the Bursary Fund.

The triumphs just kept coming – including hits from Abba and Queen, and all-time favourite medleys from Chicago to Cabaret, and from Britmashe to Sassitude.

“This was the most extraordinary concert – it was like rehearsing and conducting a fantasy choir!” said Director of Music Miranda Ashe. “To look round and see so many generations of top LEH musicians, many of whom went on to study music, retaking their places in the Holles Singers, and feeling the years melt away, blew us all away. The shining eyes, expression and quality of sound were astonishing! Holles Forever indeed….”

The reunion get-together was arranged to celebrate her and Mr Ashe’s 14 years – and counting - of being at LEH. Previous members of Holles Singers jumped at the opportunity to take part, with performers representing the original crew from 2008, right through to current pupils who joined in September 2022.

If you are logged in to your Holles Connect account you will be able to see the gallery of photos below, but there are lots more available to view - and buy - using the password ‘forever22’. Please check them out here.

More than £5,000 was raised for the Bursary Fund from the proceeds of this event and the spectacular Musical Auction of Promises that preceded it.

But you couldn’t put a price on the enthusiasm and energy generated by re-living their LEH best life and their love for Mrs Ashe. Here’s just a small selection of alumnae responses: -

“What a fantastic day! Music was the highlight to my time at school.  Thank you so much for letting me re-immerse myself today!” Ellie Thomas, Class of 2016.

“If I could just be in Holles Singers forever, that would be great please! Thank you for making music so exciting,” Alice Walton, Class of 2011.

“Thank you so much for a wonderful day and bringing back all the memories from music at LEH. I couldn’t have made it through to do music now if not for all the training here,” Yutong Zhang, Class of 2016.

“My fondest memories of LEH all revolve around your fabulous music department.  I’m truly eternally grateful,” Amy Norman, Class of 2021.

“I feel so privileged to have been a part of the Holles Singers and have never met anyone – musical director or others – as fantastic as you.  I hope there is another Holles Forever, because it really is a forever choir.” Lucy Bradley, Class of 2016.

“Your love for music is inspirational.  I have you to thank you for where I am today,” Becca Madden, Class of 2012.

“Nothing I can say would do it justice. I am so grateful for all my memories of music at the school,” Sophie Camilleri, Class of 2019.

We are excited to reveal that plans are afoot to make professionally remastered downloads of the concert available later this year – with all proceeds going to the Bursary Fund as well. Watch this space for more news. #LEHMusicLivesOn