Monday 24 December 2012

St. Gregory's Orchestra's Christmas Concert

On the afternoon of Sunday 9th December 2012 I attended the St. Gregory's Orchestra's Christmas Concert in aid of Nelson's Journey which featured Wensum Valley Brass at the United Reformed Church, Princes Street, Norwich. The St. Gregory's Orchestra were conducted by Martin Wyatt with Alison Mills as Leader. Eric Franklin was Co-ordinator of Wensum Valley Brass.

The programme consisted of Orchestral Suite, Iolanthe - Arthur Sullivan and Concerto in B flat for Bassoon - Mozart from the St. Gregory's Orchestra. After an interval of coffee and chocolate biscuits Wensum Valley Brass performed Sarabande - Grieg, Wedding Day - Grieg, Cantate Domino - Pitoni, Pilgrim's Chorus - Wagner, Earl of Salisbury's Pavane - Byrd, Canzona 13 - Gabrieli, O Holy Night - Adam, Just a Closer Walk - Arr. by Don Gillis, Amazing Grace - Arr. Luther Henderson, Coventry Carol O leave your sheep - arr. Patrick Rivers and March for a Pageant - Cook.

This was time for the St. Gregory's Orchestra to have some Christmas fun as they thrilled and entertained us with Arthur Sullivan's Iolanthe but some of the orchestra found Gilbert's words irresistible and felt obliged to burst into song. Eleanor Skeate was soloist for Mozart's Concerto in B flat for Bassoon which was his first concerto for a wind instrument.

Wensum Valley Brass were originally a small group formed by members of the brass section of the Norwich City Concert Band. The group have been part of the evening street entertainment for the Lord Mayor's weekend. This was the first time they had appeared in formal concert format.

This was a wonderful afternoon of music at the United Reformed Church, Princes Street, Norwich which helped to raise money for Nelson's Charity which is for children and young people who need help and support to deal with losing a loved one. Well done to both the St. Gregory's Orchestra and Wensum Valley Brass.

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