WINTER CONCERT

WINTER CONCERT

at King Edward VI Grammar School

01.12.11

From Orpheus in the Underworld to the criminal underworld of downtown Hawaii, five ensembles, directed by Tim Worrall and Maggie Diffley, provided a varied evening of music-making at KEGS last week.

The Junior Orchestra followed Offenbach's Galop with Marches by Handel and Bizet, and the Junior String Ensemble, just nine string players and a pianist, played Irish airs and a catchy English folk dance, the Galopede.

I enjoyed the warm tone of Brian Chan's guitar in a Vivaldi Concerto accompanied by an impressive chamber ensemble, who also played Holst's Brook Green Suite, originally written for the composer's pupils to play – the wistful Air followed by an energetic, rustic Dance.

Brian was also the leader of the Senior Orchestra, who gave us Wagner, a witty Widow Simone, and a polished performance of the English Folk Song Suite of Vaughan Williams, with excellent work from woodwind and strings.

The Wind Band, nearly 70 strong, led by Sarah Woollatt, gave us the A-Team as well as Hawaii 5-O, plus Toy Story, Thriller and the inevitable Lady Gaga.