Rochdale Youth Orchestra Summer Spectacular

Date published: 20/06/2006

RYO’s Summer Spectacular concert at the Gracie Fields Theatre on Saturday evening was very well attended considering the hot weather.

The 50-strong Junior orchestra, conducted by Sue Verity, performed a varied programme including 'Highlights from Harry Potter' – one of the chldren’s favourite pieces.

This concert included the opportunity for some of the gifted young players to perform individually and in the first half, 8 year old violinist Maheen Behrana delighted the audience with her solo performance of 'Concertino' by Vivaldi, accompanied by the string section of the Junior Orchestra. This will be Maheen’s last performance with RYO as she has passed an audition to study violin and piano at the RNCM in September –a great achievement! The Juniors performed 'Match of the Day'– after England’s success in the first game of the world cup, and finished with 'Pomp and Circumstance' – 'Land of Hope and Glory' with the audience singing and waving flags.

Guest performers at the concert were Rochdale Girls’ Choir- conductor  Chris Willis, accompanist Laura Durrans. The attention to detail and enthusiasm shown by the girls and the clarity of their singing impressed the audience immensely.

Mozart’s 250th anniversary was celebrated by the Senior Orchestra with excerpts from 'The Magic Flute' and after some solo items, the orchestra,  directed by Chris Gill, concluded the concert with an ambitious performance of 'The Carnival of the Animals' by Saint-Saens arranged by their musical director Chris.