On Dec. 9, Oakcrest School’s auditorium was filled with sounds of beautiful and exotic British music. This was the start to Langley High School’s winter concert, Rule Britannia.

The concert began with the Symphonic Orchestra playing three movements from Handel’s Water Music. The second piece, English Suite by Clare Grundman, was a nice and bright performance.

Then came the performance of the freshman orchestra. They played a quick and perky version of Rondeau from Albedezar.  Then there was a brief Shakespeare poetry reading by Phyliss Jaffe, Langley’s Director of Theater Arts. The second piece by the freshman orchestra was Sonata for Trumpet and Strings by Purell. With Josh Cohen playing a baroque trumpet as a solo, the piece felt very antique. The last piece played by the freshmen orchestra was Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles.

The Philharmonic orchestra took the stage last, playing Amazing Grace, Song from the Winton suite by Carse, and St. Paul Suite by Holst.

Overall, the concert was a success. With The Northern Virginia Firefighters’ Emerald Society Pipe Band playing between breaks and a silent auction going on during intermission, the concert also gave plenty to enjoy besides the actual performance. The songs read with British accents gave a feeling that this was taking place in Britain. Sophomore Pallavi Rudraraju said, “It was a nice experience to hear British pieces we usually don’t hear. I really enjoyed the evening.”