We were pleased to welcome some 40 guests to our concert held yesterday, 23rd May at St Mary’s Church Willesborough. Among them were a guest family from Ukraine, staying with our bassoonist, and Ros Parker, whose husband David sadly passed away recently – a much valued violinist member of our orchestra.

The concert was notable for the sheer pleasure exhibited by the various players in producing our programme for the evening. Starting with some English Dances in honour of our Queen’s Jubilee, we went on to play the Ukrainian National Anthem, and the Prayer of Ukraine, in solidarity with the people of that beleagured country. This was followed by Fauré’s ”Après une Rêve” sung by Steph Batchelor and accompanied by Gill Booker.

Following came a spirited rendition of Khachaturian’s Masquerade Waltz, and then Tim Bushnell’s soulful performance of ”Song for Lotte” on the trombone. Helen Marshal introduced us to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and we then went on to a medley from ”Oklahoma!” – coincidentally also one of the Queen’s favourites. The finale was Florence Price’s Juba Dance.

Thanks go in particular to Gill Booker for helping us get our heads round sometimes challenging music, to all members of the orchestra, and to our wonderful audience, who together raised £345 to send on to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal – a charity selected by Ros Parker in memory of her husband.