On Tuesday 16th June a group of Etone College musicians went to the Warwick Arts Centre on the Warwick University campus to work on developing their singing skills and to learn the big numbers from the musical ‘Les Miserables’. ‘Les Miserables’ celebrates 40 years this year since the original West End run and Etone students were excited to learn the music from the show based on the famous French novel by the author Victor Hugo.

The workshop had been organised by the Heart of England Music hub (a collaboration between Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull music services) and was lead by Conductor and Vocal Coach Suzzie Vango who shared her skills and knowledge with the 500 students from across the midlands who had come together to develop their singing technique.

Over the course of the day, we learned a medley of the hits as well as a number of vocal exercises to strengthen our voices. There was also an opportunity for our student Eleanor (a Les Mis Superfan!) to take to the stage to sing a solo - she’d even brought her t-shirt with her!

At the end of the day, the students performed together (video of our performance can be found on the Heart of England music hub Instagram page) and we’re STILL singing as we headed to the minibus to come home!

Thank you to the music services, Warwick Arts Centre and to Suzzie Vango for organising such a brilliant day (and the students have already asked if we can come back next year!).