String players of all ages perform in harmony

Last Sunday the East Midlands String Orchestra performed with our Youth String Orchestra in St Peter's Church, Ruddington. Richard Howarth was at the helm as conductor and the guest leader was Jonathan Martindale.

The concert opened with the rhythmic drive of Stravinsky's Concerto in D, keeping the players and audience on the edge of their seats! Following this, the Youth Strings played a lively movement from Divertimento by Peter Martin and later joined with the adults to perform the Montagues and Capulets theme from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet.

Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis was the highlight for many, with over 50 string players, youth and adult combining to produce a rich tapestry of sound. One audience member commented "The orchestra(s) performed splendidly. The Fantasia was wonderful, filling the church with radiant sound. And what a wonderful age mixture!"

A retiring collection for the Motor Neurone Disease Association raised over £400. For more information about the charity visit their website: http://www.mndassociation.org/