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WELLS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL STRING DUO
ELMWOODSTEELBAND
Mozart Duet for Violin and Viola, K.423 1st movt. There has been a Cathedral School in Wells, educating choristers, since the thirteenth century. Today, the School is coed ucational and has over six hundred day and boarding pupils. In 1970 a scheme was undertaken to provide outstandingly gifted musical children with intensive instrumental and musical training of a standard worthy of their talent. The intention is not so much to enhance achievement in 'school music', as it is generally known, as to start at an early age the process of e~uipping certain individuals for a demanding professional life - a process which, it is generally recognised,is usually begun too late in this country. Great care has been taken, however, that these studies should be pursued within the framework of a b.roadly-based education of high academic standard. The student& give many public performances in various forms; the symphony.Orchestra performed at the 1977 Schools Prom with Yehudi Menuhin as Soloist, and the Chamber Orchestra has twice given concerts at the Bath Festival. Jeremy WiJliams, born in 1960,is now a studen t at the Guildhall School of Music; Robert Salter, aged 17, has added tobis experience by playing with the National Youth Orchestra. Duet for Violin and Viola, K.423 - Mozart Mozart himself an excellent violinist and violist, wrote the duets K.423 and 424 to help out his friend Michael Haydn, who was unable through illness to fin ish a set of six which he was required to compose for the Archbishop of Salzburg. Mozart was more ambitious for the viola than Michael Haydn; the lower instrument enjoys full equality and partnership with the violin.
Croydon Conductor: Brenda Davis Paloma Blanca The Breeze and I arr. Russell Henderson When the Saints come marching in Elmwood Junior School, situated in West Croydon, offers varied musical opportunities to its pupils whose ages range from 7 to 11 years. The first steel Band was formed at the school in 1971 under the tutorship of Russell Henderson. Each July the Band loses its eleven-year old players when they transfer to High Schools and a new group is formed. Elmwood Steel Band has appeared on television on several occasions, has been heard on radio and has played at concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Fairfield liall, Croydon. Other engagements have included playing at Colleges, Schools and Charity Performances. In both 1974 and 1975 the Band gained an Outstanding Performance Award and in 1978 a Highly Commended Performance Award at the National Festival of Music for Youth which led to its taking part in the 1975, 1976 and 1978 Schoo j s Proms.
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KING EDWARD VI COLLEGE ORCHESTRA Stourbridge Conductor: John Griswold "Catherine Howard" from The Six Wives of Henry VIII Symphony No. 6 in F, "Pastoral", 1st movement
Soloist: Rick Wakeman Rick Wakeman (Monday) Beethoven (Wednesday),
Stourbridge, before local government re-organisation, was in Worcerstershire and is now part of the Dudley Metropolitan Borough in the County of West Midlands, and King Edward VI College is in its third year of transition from Boys' Grammar School to co¡educational Sixth Form College. Music plays an important part in the life of the College. Students are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities, both instrumental and vocal. Apart from the Orchestra there is also a Chamber Orchestra, Wind Band, C\loral Society, Special Choir, Brass Ensemble and many Chamber Music Groups. There are six concerts a year in the College, and the Chamber Orchestra and various other small groups give many concerts locally. Symphony No. 6 in F, "Pastoral" - Beethoven Beethoven's 6th Symphony was given the title "Pastoral" by the composer himself. It was first performed in December 1808 and at the same concert the 5th Symphony was also given its premiere. In contrast to the 5th's daemonic energy, however, the " Pastoral" is gentle and reflective and imbued with a sunny warmth. The subtitle for the first movement is "Awakening of happy feelings on arriving in the countryside".
DARLINGTON YOUTH BIG BAND Conductor: AIf Hind Hipflask D. Runswick The Magic Flea S. Nestico The Darlington Youth Big Band was founded in 1970 to give young musicians the opportunity to play big band jazz. They have been successful on three occasions in the National Festival of Music for Youth and feel very honoured that the Band has been invited to play for the third time at the Royal Albert Hall. The Band has done a 3-week tour in America in 1976, and this year visited Mulheim in Germany (Darlington's twin town), doing several concerts ana playing for the Festi val Ball.