Programme Notes ABERDEEN PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
ASHFORD GUITAR ORCHESTRA, KENT
Musical Director/Conductor: Mic/wel Urquhart Cabassa Bound } Festival Celebration arr, M. Urquhart
Musical Director: David Green Clouds Duke Ellington, arr, D, Green Mexican Dream - Bandits ) (part 1) Revelations - Shadows David Green Revelations - Before the City Wakes The Ashford Guitar Orchestra comprises thirty classical guitarists, a bass guitarist and includes two electric guitars, flute and violin on occasions. The Orchestra incorporates the '~shford Guitar Ensemble" which comprises the leading twelve players from the Orchestra and plays music composed by the players and by David Green. The Orchestra gives many concerts and last year embarked on a highly successful concert tour of Switzerland, This is the Orchestra's first appearance at the Schools Prom,
The Aberdeen Percussion Ensemble was formed in 1986 and rehearses once a week. The National Festival of Music for Youth is the first event the group have been involved in and they have made only six appearances in Aberdeen, Appearing at the Royal Albert Hall in the Schools Prom has been their target during two and a half years of enjoyable rehearsals. Most of the players in this all-female ensemble have been taught percussion by the Musical Director, Michael Urquhart, who has arranged both the items on the programme for the ensemble, "Cabassa Bound" takes the listener on a trip from Scotland to Latin America and "Festival Celebration" which includes Scottish, pop, 60's swing, jazz and rock 'n' roll music with a foot tapping, hand clapping selection was arranged especially for the 1988 National Festival of Music for Youth.
BADEN-POWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL HANDBELL TEAM, SOUTHAMPTON Director: Donald Nutter Changes C-G Autumn Bells Over the Rainbow
Anon Arlen, arr. Edwards-Hill Handbell-ringing began in the school as an extracurricular activity seven years ago when a parental donation enabled a two-octave chromatic set to be bought. Team members are chosen from auditioned volunteers and to provide continuity of experience the team usually comprises fourth and third year children with one second year. The team performs in schools and churches, local charitable and musical events, competes successfully in local musical festivals and participates in area and national rallies of the National Association for Handbell Ringing Teams. After gaining an "Outstanding Performance Award" in the Junior section at the National Festival the Schools Prom crowns a wonderful year for the children's loyalty and dedication and marks sadly the final ringing occasion for this present team as seven children transfer to secondary schools this autumn. The programme comprises: "Changes C-G", an example of change ringing as on church tower bells; a smart fast tune - '~utumn Bells" - and the haunting tune from the evergreen film "Wizard of Oz" - "Over the Rainbow".
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