Concert Orchestra
This year, the Concert Orchestra flourished under the careful and astute guidance of Helen Dolby (for who else could take on such a role), and the strong leadership of Thomas Gregory. We kickstarted the year with rehearsals for the St Cecilia Concert which took place on the 24th November in the Bushell Hall. For those of you unaware of the inner-workings of all music groups before the St Cecilia Concerts, it is a mad rush to practise the pieces to a satisfactory level within the narrow time span given.This year was no exception, and as a product of our blood, our sweat, and many tears, we played “March” by Mozart, and “Nun danket alle Gott” by Cruger. The latter finished with thunderous applause by the audience, and both pieces were enjoyed by all.
After this superb performance, we spent just a week recuperating before trying out a few pieces for the Commemoration Concert. Some were good; some were not so good, but Miss Dolby saved the day, by placing in front of us “The Great Gate of Kiev” by Mussorgsky. The piece began to take form by the beginning of the Easter term. We opened the 2006 Commemoration Concert with this spectacular anthem, flooding the hall with the fanfare of trumpets, the rippling of the clarinets and the choir of violins. In doing so, we metaphorically opened the gate for the rest of the Concert. After all, nobody can open a Solihull School Concert but its Orchestra.
Richard Brough