Charity concert in aid of Priscilla Bacon Lodge
St Gregory’s Orchestra conducted by Martin Wyatt 30th June
It was wonderful to see an audience of 90 and an orchestra of 40 in the church when the St Gregory’s Orchestra came to perform a varied programme at Trinity. A selection from Oklahoma by Rodgers and Hammerstein included several very familiar songs with solos by members of the orchestra, Oh What a Beautiful Morning to People Will Say We’re in Love – creating a warm, reassuring feeling.
The Sonata for Clarinet and Orchestra by a local composer, Ian Hytch who conducted, was difficult to play and unfamiliar to the audience. It was a lively, complex piece, stretching the talents of the orchestra and exploiting the versatility of the clarinet. The soloist, Rachel York, gave a strong and skilled performance. New music is always a challenge, just as it was for audiences first hearing the work of composers in the past. As in all the arts, there has to be an opportunity for creative people to demonstrate their work and it was to the credit of the orchestra that they provided this opportunity and responded so well.
After the interval we returned to familiar sounds with a striking performance of Dvorak’s Symphony in E Minor (New World) which uses Native American, African and Czech themes in order to reflect the vitality of a developing new nation.
Martin Wyatt’s extensive musical experience and talent has been around for many years, creating orchestral and choral concerts, encouraging and developing individuals to fulfil their musical abilities. We were delighted at his offer to perform at Trinity.
Priscilla Bacon Lodge Support Group was the chosen charity. The Lodge has provided medical care and support for 40 years. The Support Group funds equipment and facilities for patients and their families and many other services not available with the NHS. The concert raised £816 in ticket sales and £150 in collection boxes, clearly a generous audience. After the orchestra’s expenses £750 has been given to the Lodge.
Special thanks to our members who worked hard to ensure a successful occasion for the wider community.
Norman Manners
