Welsh Sinfonia Crescendo Concert

On Friday 17th November the combined orchestras of Christ College performed with professional musicians from the Welsh Sinfonia under the banner of their Cresecendo project, working with schools across Wales to develop orchestral playing. Now in the fifth and final year of our partnership with this orchestra, Christ College have certainly benefitted from the experience. Pupils have had the chance to learn from and play alongside supportive professional players in a familiar environment, as well as working with professional conductor Mark Eager.

The Poco Crescendo Orchestra from St Nicholas House comprised some 13 players and when combine with the senior Crescendo orchestra, the number of pupils on stage was closer to 40. The pupil orchestras performed two pieces together before the seniors then combined with the Welsh Sinfonia to play Stephen Sondheim’s Send In The Clowns, the first movement of Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’ Symphony, and the music for the film Gladiator, composed by Hans Zimmer and arranged by John Wasson.

In addition to these performances, the Christ College String Orchestra and Senior Wind Sinfonia also took to the stage to perform music by Mendelssohn (String Sinfonia No.7, 1st mvt) and Bernstein (West Side Story Medley). Again, these ensembles are thriving at the school, alongside several other instrumental groups that meet weekly. What was most impressive was to see was how much could be achieved with only 30 minutes of rehearsal each week. Imagine what they could do if we had more time…