Staff at Farlington were avidly watching the weather forecast prior to the showcase of the summer term – the Farlington Musical Marathon – and we were lucky, the sun shone!
This unique event, was the brainchild of the Music Department, Anne Stearns and Jane Thomas, who devised a series of contrasting programmes to ensure that the music flowed continually for a twelve-hour period. This was done in style.
The Marathon started at 8.30am with Cappuccino with Chopin which provided parents with a mellow start to their day – after the stresses of the school run! A plethora of concerts followed catering for all ages, abilities and tastes. Senior girls ‘got down with it’ during the Urban Soundz Workshop, whilst Prep pupils were entertained by young soloists as they picnicked with their teddy bears.
In addition to the Farlington community, visitors were warmly welcomed to the Lunchtime Concert where they were treated to a programme of ‘classical’ showstoppers performed by Farlington’s extremely accomplished teaching staff. The music continued throughout the afternoon with a Promenade Concert – Around the World in 80 Minutes, and a Staff and Pupils’ Rock Festival where places in the mosh pit were at a premium!
The headline concerts were superbly connected together by a variety of ‘links-in-the-chain’. This ensured the music never stopped! Proceedings culminated with our Magnificent, Mellifluous Music Hall, ably compered by Farlington’s David Thomas, whose oratory skills were matched only by his charm and wit. There was an enthusiastic and raucous response from the audience to his titillating, tantalising and terrific alliteration!
Staff were integral to the success of the Musical Marathon and were certainly seen by some in a new light – Mandy Higgs, Assistant Head; Joy Baggs, Head of the Prep School and Lucy Cooper, Drama teacher, brought a whole new visual to Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘Three Little Maids from School’; while ‘The Three Tenors’ and the ‘Girls at Maxims’ brought the house down. 
None of this would have been possible without the enthusiasm, energy, and commitment of the Farlington girls. They all took part, from Upper Sixth girls who had just finished A levels, down to the smallest Nursery children; and, as one parent put it: “The sheer joy on the face of that little girl was a joy to behold!” Truly a day to remember.