A star-studded line up of student performers lit up Taunton School Theatre on Wednesday evening with a packed out audience enjoying performances of music by the likes of Nina Simone, Coldplay, Joan Baez and Obituary.

The evening began with a performance by a newly formed group, ‘The Band’, consisting of Year 9 students Charlie, James and Toby who were presenting some new songs in their debut performance. Following this was another debut performance by Taunton School’s very own male voice group, ‘The Tauntones’. A new venture in which they performed a rip-roaring version of the sea shanty ‘Leave Her Johnny’ with great panache. Two Year 10 students followed with Xavia and Isabel singing Lady A’s ballad ‘Need You Now’ before Isabel took to the stage solo in ‘Dead Mom’ from Beetlejuice, and Xavia performed her own song ‘Prove You’re Not Selfish’ accompanied by Tommy on the drums. Following this was a cover of two songs of Joan Baez by Year 11 student Thomasin, before the Junior Rock Band performed their version of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’.

Following this was a Taunton Sessions first as Anzor and Alex, both Year 12, performed a song by the Death Metal pioneers ‘Obituary’, before Year 10 student Hazel performed Amy Winehouse’s version of ‘Valerie’ and ‘God Help The Outcasts’ from the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The Senior Rock Band took to the stage next with two songs by Oasis and Coldplay, featuring Elsenne on vocals, Nozomi and Maxi on guitars and Pablo on drums. Caleb accompanied Kat, both Year 13, in a masterfully soulful performance before Kaya, also Year 13, sang Daughter’s beautiful song ‘Youth’. Elsenne then returned to the stage to sing ‘People Need People’ by Birdy before Ella presented ‘When I Was Your Man’ by Bruno Mars.

Closing out the evening was the Funk Band who performed music by Etta James, Nina Simone, Olivia Dean and Aretha Franklin, with Kat and Caleb supported on vocals by Xavia and Lizzie, a horn section of Daisy, Bertie, Monty, Gerleif, Jack and Charlotte, Benji and Lewis on percussion, Tomisin on keys and James and Lucas on guitars.

Well done everyone for some truly exceptional performances!

View more photos from the event on our Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tauntonschool/albums/72177720331870176