by Michael Langdon

Orchestra Festival

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On Monday the 17th of September, the combined CGHS/CBHS Orchestra and the String Orchestra took part in the annual Orchestra Festival, held at Christchurch Boys’ High School

All schools played during the day, either the Sunday or Monday then had a workshop, and finally on Monday night performed in the Gala Concert.

Both groups performed superbly, particularly at the Gala Concert. Highlights included Song of the Birds, a very famous Catalan piece originally performed by Pablo Casals and performed by the String Orchestra with soloist Maia Vivas. The String Orchestra also performed a Handel Concerto Grosso (op 6 no. 1) and Shadow Run.

The Orchestra performed two pieces, Rossini’s Barber of Seville Overture and the third movement of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto, with Jean Yu Lim from Year 11 as the soloist.

The Gala performance of the Rachmaninoff, a particularly difficult piece, was a real highlight.

Everybody performed with great skill, passion, enthusiasm and musicianship. They were all a great credit to the school