On Saturday 19 March, towards the end of an unexpectedly beautiful and sunny Spring day, Hampshire County Youth Chamber Orchestra hosted an evening Spring Concert at the beautiful Church of St Thomas the Apostle in Lymington with guest performances from the Hampshire Flute Choir and the Hampshire County Youth Choir.
Hampshire Flute Choir conducted by Carrie Hensel
The concert opened with Syrinx en résonance d’après l’oevre by Claude Debussy played by three flautists from the Hampshire Flute Choir. Three players, Layla A, Maya C and Emme H played from the back and sides of the church. This brief, emotive and plaintive piece describing Pan’s pursuit of the nymph Syrinx was written by Debussy in 1913. This teasing melody was a delightful start to the evening.
Hampshire County Youth Choir conducted by Andrew Hayman and accompanied by Tom Jesty
Next we were treated to three vocal arrangements; a traditional gospel blues song called Come and Go With Me; Calm and Deep Peace/Simple Gifts by Alan Bullard and to conclude a rousing rendition of Cole Porter’s ‘Let’s Do It‘ arranged by David Blackwell.
Hampshire Flute Choir conducted by Carrie Hensel
The Flute Choir, still in contemplative mood then performed three pieces; Pastime with Good Company by King Henry VIII (arranged by David Warin Solomons); Air from the Suite in D by Johann Sebastian Bach (arranged by James Christensen) and then concluded this set with a native American soliloquy ‘Echoes in the Wind’ composed in 2003 by Phyllis Avidan Louke which was originally premiered in Nevada, USA.
Hampshire County Youth Chamber Orchestra conducted by Carl Clausen and led by Louisa B
In further exploration of authentic historical practice the Chamber Orchestra played the Ballet Suite by Jean Philippe Rameau, this being in four sections; i. Overture to Naїs; ii. Les Boreades: Entrée de Polymnie; iii. Entre les Sauvages and iv. Chaconne from Les Indes Galantes. This involved the deployment of traditional bows and bowing techniques and natural valveless trumpets; presenting both a technical challenge to players and a different sound for the audience.
Hampshire County Youth Choir
The choir opened the second half of the concert with ‘Stars of the Summer Night‘ by Andy Brooke, ‘Sing, My Child‘ by Sarah Quartel and an unusual arrangement of Harold Arlen’s ‘Over the Rainbow‘ by Cassidy/L’Estrange.
Hampshire Flute Choir
The Flute Choir showed us the diverse capabilities of their instruments in this section opening with ‘Overture for Strings‘ by Gordon Jacob, rearranged for flute by Robert Rainford. They followed with a piece by Christina Wetzler called ‘Pirates’ Escapade‘ in two movements; i. Out of the Mist and ii. Plunder and Mutiny.
Hampshire County Youth Choir and Chamber Orchestra conducted by Andrew Hayman and led by Louisa B
Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria‘ brought a rousing finale to the concert in all twelve sections delivered by a powerful chorus with individual vocal and oboe contributions.
Oboe soloist: Hannah C
Vocal soloists: Sopranos Eloise G, Lucy R, Elena S; Altos Dhanya E, Tiger-Lily J