Chorus and Concert Orchestra | Promenade Festival Concert

Nottingham Festival Chorus and Concert Orchestra
Albert Hall, Nottingham
Sunday 1 July 2007

Sharing Fun of Music Making

There was a buzz of excitement in the Albert Hall, an atmosphere of informality with ' prommers ' sitting on the floor in the stalls area, bright colours everywhere and children of all ages most definitely welcome. The culmination of a day of musical and artistic events, the Choral Trust's Promenade Concert aimed to break down preconceptions, communicating the enjoyment of music-making.

Angela Kay conducted the NCT Concert Orchestra in Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, a resounding opening, followed by the haunting rhythms of Faure's Pavane , unhurriedly and attractively played.

The Youth Chamber Choir under Jane McDouall and Matt Beckingham showed its versatility in five songs in contrasting styles, from Dowland to Chatanooga Choo Choo . The Youth String Orchestra performed well in Bartok's Transylvanian Dances and, conducted by Ting Chiu, John Williams' Schindler's List theme.

There was energetic singing from the Festival Chorus, with spine-tingling climaxes in Rutter's Gloria and a strong sense of exotic atmosphere in Borodin's Polovtsian Dances.

Ross McDouall combined African and South American influences in his composition for drums, performed by members of the morning's workshop, adults and children.

David Machell's tongue-in-cheek Lord of the Ringtones was the ultimate in audience participation - mobiles at the ready!