Programme Notes MUSIC BOX, HATHERSHAW SCHOOL, OLDHAM Conductor: Christopher Lewis Age range of performers: 12-17 years Mandraki 5tavros Xa rhakus, arr. C. Primilvara de Craiova: Trqd. Romanian, } Lewis (Andante & Allegro) Formed almost three years ago, Music Box perform on a unique combination of string and wind instruments from East and West, including mandolins, yangqins, guzheng, di, ruan, panpipes, flutes, autoharp and bowed strings. Many of these instruments exist in similar forms throughout the world with only slight differences in structure and playing technique, thus enabling the group to reproduce the general musical characteristics of countries as diverse as Chile and China. Music Box took part in the National Festival of Music for Youth for the first time last year and subsequently performed at the Schools Prom and Schools Prom North. The band tonight takes us to Greece with their performance of 'Mandraki; a lively number with an uneven five beats to each bar, and to Romania in 'Primavara de Craiova; two pieces featuring cimbaloms (or in this case Chinese yangqins), panpipes and bowed strings typically found in travelling Gypsy bands.
NORTHAMPTON MUSIC SCHOOL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNTY YOUTH CONCERT BAND
Musical Director: David Leech Guest Soloist: Amy Claricoates Age range of performers: 13-18 years Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major (1st movement) J. F. Haydn Formed four years ago, the aim of the Northampton Music School Chamber Orchestra is to develop promising young string players within a small stable group and to foster responsibility and self-reliance in performing, where practicable, without a conductor. The orchestra rehearses every Saturday afternoon and has explored a wide repertoire of string music from Baroque to modern day. Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major (1st movement) J. F. Haydn The C major Cello Concerto probably dates from around 1765. The first movement is marked moderato and maintains a loose ritornello-sonata pattern displaying a strong operatic influence. The concerto has only recently been discovered in a private music collection in Czechoslovakia and since its publication in 1963 the work has become a favourite amongst the world's renowned cellists.
Conductor: John Greaves Age range of performers: 14-18 years Fanfare (The Duke of MarJborough) Percy Grainger National Anthem Suite: S.P.Q.R. Guy Woolfenden (Fosse Way, Notturno, Via Appia) Northamptonshire County Youth Concert Band was formed twelve years ago and is part of the highly successful Northampton Music School. The ensemble at present consists of 66 performers. It received the highest place award at the Boosey and Hawkes National Concert Band Festival in 1988 and 1989 and the Award for the outstanding soloist of the day went to the same band member on each occasion. The band was also presented with an Outstanding Performance Award at this year's National Festival of Music for Youth. Suite: S.P.Q.R. (Fosse Way, Notturno, Via Appia) Guy Woolfenden 'S.P.Q.R: was commissioned in 1988 as part of Warwickshire County Council's centenary celebrations. In response, Guy Woolfenden delved even further back than a mere one hundred years to encompass the Roman occupation of Britain. The standard of a Roman legion sometimes carried the letters S.P.Q.R. (Senatus Populusque Romanus - The Senate and People of Rome). The commission attempts to juxtapose and contrast the links between the Midlands and ancient Rome. Thus the River Avon becomes a tributary of the Tiber and the Fosse Way joins the Via Appia: all roads lead to Rome!
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