9 Dec 2018
‘From the Top’ Charity Concert for Julian House and Transform Salone
On Sunday December 9th, Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall was packed once again with every seat sold, for the Afternoon Tea Concert given by ‘From the Top’ Orchestra and Choir. It was a wonderful atmosphere with festive lighting and music to please everyone.
The Orchestra began with Leroy Anderson’s ‘Christmas Festival’ containing a medley of Christmas tunes. During the programme they played seasonal favourites such as Tchaikovsky’s ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ from the Nutcracker ballet. There were audience participation carols and a chance for the entire hall to sing ‘White Christmas’ with the Orchestra. It was a fabulous lead up to the interval.
In keeping with the celebratory time of year the Orchestra opened the second half with the majestic Overture from Handel’s ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’ and followed this with ‘La Rejouissance’ – the Rejoicing from the same suite. Sally Richards accompanied the Choir. They filled the hall with sonorous three part harmonies in ‘Pacem – Song of Peace’, ‘May the Road Rise to Meet You’, ‘Down By the Salley Gardens’ and ‘Sweet Singing in the Choir’. ‘When I’m 64’ was catchy, with drum kit, and their humorous rendition of ‘A Wacky Family Christmas’ brought smiles to everyone! The wonderful offbeat rhythms and strong melody of ‘The Calypso Carol’, performed by both Orchestra and Choir brought the concert to a close.
As always, ‘From the Top’ concerts support charity fundraising. From this concert there will be £830 to be shared between Julian House, Bath and Transform Salone. Thanks to everyone for their support. During the interval the audience were treated to wonderful homemade cakes and savouries provided by the performers with tea, coffee and mulled wine.