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| Harp: Alison Sydenham |
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| Conductor: Brian Northcott |
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| Exeter Symphony Orchestra |
At a final run-through before the big day, Exeter Symphony Orchestra filled the gymnasium at St Michael's Primary School in Heavitree with impressive sound. Their regular Tuesday evening rehearsal opened with Gustav Holst's explosive Suite for Military Band. Three trombones, tuba and three trumpets were joined by five French horns. There were also impressive solos for bass clarinet and tenor saxophone.
There was also a spellbinding rendition of Vaughan Williams' Sixth Symphony, and an intriguing performance of Korngold's Violin Concerto, without solo violin. (Mihkel Kerem will join the orchestra tonight.) Completing the picture was Butterworth's "The Banks of Green Willow" featuring lilting strings and superb woodwind solos for several players.
The standard of playing is quite extraordinary. Gill Crew leads skilfully, keeping the string section in tight formation while the woodwind and brass sections blow up a storm. It is not just in the Military Suite that the horns amaze with their immense power.
Virtually every woodwind player steps forward for a solo performance during tonight's programme. Ruth Molins (of course) - who is going to play Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp with Sally Jenkins next March - and also Caroline Thomas and Tara Fletcher (oboes), Karen Gale (clarinet), Christine Austin (cor anglias), and special solos for Rosie Lester (tenor saxophone) and Robert Stevenson (piccolo). Every one is a joy to hear, and a showcase of passion and precision.
Despite the underlying theme of tragedy and sadness, this concert revives the spirits with its variety and exuberance. Southernhay Church tonight will be the place to experience the highly polished sound of our very own symphony orchestra.
Full details of the concert are on the Exeter Symphony Orchestra Website
Tickets to the concert cost £12 are available at the door.
It is not too late to book in advance at the Tourist Information Centre (opposite the church).
Advance tickets are only £10.
Anyone under 18 and still attending school or college can enjoy the concert FREE.
[Also see Concert Poster in pdf)
Take a look at some of the wonderful musicians at Tuesday's rehearsal, preparing for tonight's perfromance . . .
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| Tuba: Colin Dance |
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| Tenor Saxophone: Rosie Lester |
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| Bass Drum: Mark Perry |
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| Snare Drum: John Harlock |
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| Triangle: Daphne Harlock |
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| French Horns: Paul Bridgman, Tracey Alder Cecilia Lock, Kate Manners |
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| Horn Duet Banks of Green Willow |
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| Flute: Ruth Molins |
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| Flute: Sophie Brewer Oboe: Caroline Thomas |
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| Oboe: Tara Fletcher |
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| Cor Anglais: Christine Austin |
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| Clarinet: Karen Gale |
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| Bass Clarinet: Sarah Vaughan |
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| Bassoons: Andrea Higgins & Ian Crew |
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| Trombones: Trevor Kirkin, Lee Andrea . . . |
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| and Paul Rycroft (Tuba: Colin Dance) |
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| Solo Trombone: Trevor Kirkin |
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| Trumpets: Myles Taylor, Elizabeth Wood, Joshua Beadon |
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| Keyboard: Mark Perry |
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| Tympani: Daphne Horlock |
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| John Harlock takes over the tympani |
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| while Daphne Harlock takes charge of the Clash Cymbals |
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| Double Basses: Moira Davenport, Hilary Judd, Garry Lester |
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| Garry Lester leads a double bass pizzicato passage |
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| Alison Sydenham replies on harp |
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| Ruth Molins: eyes front |
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