Spring Concert Celebrates British Composers

Our Spring Concert, which featured instrumental ensembles, paid tribute to British composers with an exciting range of music from Purcell to Elgar and original composition from our own Mrs Helena Richards. Our theme was chosen to mirror the repertoire chosen by many orchestras this year as they reflect the Coronation of HRH King Charles III later this year and celebrate a diverse range of music composed by British composers. Our programme included masterpieces such as Handel’s ‘Sarabande’, Purcell’s ‘Rondo’ (String Orchestra), Elgar’s ‘Nimrod- from Enigma Variations (Senior String Orchestra), Vaughan Williams’s ‘Folk Song Suite’ (Wind Orchestra). The Symphony Orchestra brough together all ensembles in a performance of Delius’s ‘First Cuckoo In Spring’- a wonderful moment to see and hear all of our orchestral musicians, whatever their ability, playing together. Sinfonia, our senior orchestra, performed two original pieces composed by Mrs Helena Richards. These pieces were composed for Caterham School in her capacity as Composer in Residence; Veritas (2013) and Sine Timore (2014) are both complex and enticing and are inspired by the school motto ‘Truth Without Fear’. The second piece features live narration with words from Roosevelt’s ‘Man in the Arena’ speech. This was expertly read by Mr John Dodwell. It is hugely inspiring for our young musicians to hear and be involved in performances of creative, original compositions written by their conductor, Mrs Richards. The closing item, Holst’s ‘Jupiter’, performed by Sinfonia, displayed great energy and force and provided the perfect end to the evening’s feast of great music.