The snow might have thwarted the music department a couple of weeks ago, forcing cancelled concerts, but, quick as a flash Mr Milton spotted an opportunity to provide a wonderful evening of ‘samples’ last Friday.
The Showcase Concert brought together a glorious range of ensembles, choirs, orchestras and bands, and filled St Mary’s with a heady mix of ancient and very modern. Well, I count ABBA as very modern. And Grease. And Chicago. But I am told I am a little old fashioned… so I was back on more familiar territory with the Chamber Choir’s Weelkes (c 1600!). Anyway, the foot tapping was already well under way by the time the Chamber Choir performed. Seckford Sinfonia had taken on the first two of my ‘very moderns’ with uncontainable smiles and delight (performers and audience); the Concert Band and The Lion King made for splendid soul mates; Cellisti took us to America via Oblivion (an interesting coupling…); Cantabile changed the mood to the sublimely silken with two mesmerising odes, one to eventide, the other to Lilies and Roses, and then joined the Chamber Choir for Chilcott’s take on the Irish Blessing. Alone, the Chamber Choir then built to the unstoppable crescendo of Hogan’s My Soul… Ms Weston pressing the accelerator like Stig – but with infinitely more character, and no white helmet.
After the interval (notable for the enthusiastic chatter of a very happy audience), the Swing Band excelled in a Herbie Hancock quartet, the Percussionists Mambo-mesmerised, the Brass Ensemble waxed and waned (pian’ e forte!) with aplomb and the Symphony Orchestra wowed us with Chigago. Phew! Fantastic! Many, many congratulations to performers and conductors alike – you richly deserved your packed and appreciative audience.
