The Senior Concert was held in the Main Hall on 3 April 2025 and current students were joined by members of the Old Hymerian community in the second half to perform several choruses and solos from Handel's 'Messiah'.  The concert was also the last to be conducted by Richard Quick (OH Staff 1995-2025), who after 30 years of teaching at Hymers College, has retired to pursue his other interests.

Andrew Penny, OH Staff 1977-2022 returned to join the choir, along with his daughter, Sarah Lucy Penny, OH 2002-12 and OH Staff 2022-25, who sang alto solo.  Sarah Lucy has also left the school this term after three years leading the school's choirs and giving expert one-to-one singing lessons.

Also performing solos were Domhnall Talbot OH 2001-11 and William Bennett OH 2003-10, and in the chorus were John Kittmer, OH 1975-85, Andrew Edwards, OH 1975-85, Paula Bowes, OH 2012/17, Grace Marwood, OH 2013-18 and Laura French, OH 1994-2004.  Supporting the concert was former singing teacher, Marion Riley, OH Staff 1996-2022.

It’s more than 20 years since I was last playing the viola in the Main Hall, so it was really special to get the chance to do it again.

I initially saw the email about the opportunity for parents and Old Hymerians to get involved in a performance of the Messiah. I was keen to take part, and emailed to find out if they could use a spare viola player, which was how I found myself on stage playing with the Senior Strings and then to accompany the choir for the Messiah.

It was particularly special that I was able to be there because it was Richard Quick’s last concert at the school. I was one of his first pupils when he arrived in 1995 and so got to be a part of his first and last concerts at Hymers, 30 years apart! It was also great to catch up with some of my other music teachers - Mrs Riley and Mr Penny- at the concert.

20 years on from leaving school, music remains an important part of my life, and a huge part of that is thanks to the grounding I got at Hymers, and the amazing teachers I’ve mentioned here. And my parents for making me practice! I’m so grateful that it gave me a gift that to this day brings me so much joy, and so it was a lovely experience to be back making music where it all began for me.

Laura French, OH 1994-2004

What an enjoyable, inspiring and pleasingly nostalgic night at the 2025 Senior Concert. It was a treat to watch, listen and be involved. There was a lot of wonderful talent and teaching on show. The senior percussion ensemble was particularly thrilling! Hearing the Senior Jazz and Wind Bands in action reminded me of my brother’s very musical time at Hymers (John Edwards, OH 1978-88).

Joining past and present together for me was the second half - singing with the basses in the Messiah chorus. I first sang these wonderful Handel tunes as a treble in 1977, perched on the edge of the stage in my shorts. My good friend and contemporary Dr John Kittmer, now Chair of Governors, singing alongside me commented that the music had clearly stayed in my memory. It definitely had, taking me back to the awe and excitement I felt as a ten year old performing in the Main Hall.

Even better Andrew Penny MBE was singing with us, the inspirational teacher who led those bands my brother was playing in some forty years earlier. And how fabulous to have returning former pupils, Sarah Lucy Penny, Domhnall Talbot and William Bennett perform - thrillingly - as soloists. Thank you, Hymers!

Andrew Edwards, OH 1975-85

I had the genuine pleasure of joining current and past musicians for last week’s concert. Mr Bartlett (who used to teach me piano) invited me to join the ensembles that would be part or Mr Quick’s final concert at Hymers. Richard (if I dare call him that) was my first proper violin teacher and I persuaded him to teach join the string group, during my first weeks in the Junior School. He remains an inspiration and laid the foundations of future successes, NCO, NYSO, Hallé Youth and lately Durham University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. It is great to see that music remains at the forefront of school life at Hymers and I felt genuinely proud to be invited back and have the opportunity to play with such talent on such a memorable evening.

Grace Marwood, OH 2013-18

Singing is and always has been really important to me. It was wonderful to join the really talented pupils who form the school’s orchestra and choir and perform with them some of the greatest choruses from Messiah. When I was at school, I sang, at first treble, then bass in the choir and played violin in the orchestra. Hymers was an indispensable part of my musical education and music is an indispensable part of a Hymers education.

John Kittmer, OH 1975-85

It was flattering to be asked to come back and sing with the choir for Mr Quick’s final concert. Mr Quick had directed me in ensembles throughout my time at Hymers and (I think) was the only teacher with whom I closely interacted for my entire time at the school.

The rehearsal in the afternoon was as wonderful reminder of a decade-worth of rehearsals; he was as engaging and encouraging as ever. The jokes were the same as they had been at the turn of the century, and as we know jokes do get better the more you tell them. It was a pleasure to perform again with other alumni as well as the talented current students. I am sure I speak for hundreds (over 1000?) of Hymers alumni as well as myself when I say I have a huge debt of gratitude to Mr Quick. All the best to a happy 55-year retirement.

Domhnall Talbot OH 2001-11