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Hereford Sixth Form College Concert
Concert Review
18th March 2008
On 6th March, the Music Department produced a full programme of music performances, given by the various ensembles that rehearse in College, to a packed St John’s Methodist Church.
The evening began with the Concert Band playing Marching Down Broadwaywhich, along with medleys of music from Queen and The Four Seasons, set a lively mood. Contrasting with this, the expressive arrangement of On A Clear Day, showcased the musicianship of the band members.
The atmosphere changed completely when David Weber and Jonathan Godfrey delivered a beautifully sensitive interpretation of the slow movement from Bach’s Double Violin Concerto and changed yet again when a number of extra string players, together with accordions, flageolets and guitars arrived to liven up the hall with Ceilidh folk music.
The first half concluded with a set from the College Swing Band directed by Peter Fletcher, which included some impressive improvisations from some of the lead players, and ended with the foot-tapping At The Sign Of The Swinging Cymbals.
After an interval spent consuming Eva Prestage’s delicious home-made cakes, the second half of the evening belonged to the choir. It began with a performance of David Weber’s composition We Remember – an atmospheric carol suitable for Easter or Christmas with words by his mother Rhiannon.
Fauré’s lovely Requiem Mass concluded the evening. The musical delivery was considerably enhanced by Peter Dyke’s organ accompaniment. The choir sang this with responsive and emotional sensitivity and the two soloists – Annie Kray, soprano and Tom Nichol, baritone – produced professional quality interpretations, trained by Pamela White.
At the end of a long evening the audience went home exhausted, but impressed.