Summer 2005 Concerts
- Review by Vic King
Conductor Sam Newgarth MBE LRAM - Leader Jane Bultz
The following review reproduced here by kind permission of the Bournemouth Daily Echo was published on Monday 27th June following the Westbourne Orchestra’s 75th Anniversary Concert at St Ambrose Church on Friday 24th June.
"CELEBRATING 75 years of music making, the Westbourne Orchestra’s amateur status belies a professional approach to its artistic ideals.
"This has been borne out by its Richard Davis composers competition set up to acquire a new short work to mark this milestone.
"The winner was local man Paul Coles with Huzza (an archaic term, meaning approval or delight) that readily fulfilled the brief as a wonderfully tuneful and joyous score.
"Every section of the orchestra had a chance to show their mettle under the careful direction of Sam Newgarth.
"Paul received a prize of £200 and a certificate presented, by the Mayor Cllr. Ted Taylor. |
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"Among the highlights of this concert, a performance by the remarkably talented Gill Price of Eric Coates’ Saxophone Rhapsody was most impressive.
"Dave Brooks took the baton guiding the orchestra in splendid support of the soloist’s mellifluous playing of this delightful piece – and all in true professional spirit as Gill’s right arm was in a bandage!
"The celebratory theme cheerfully maintained the orchestra’s challenging programme, revelling in Elgar’s challenging Cockaigne overture and Sibelius’ Karelia Suite.
"The token serenity came from Cavalleria Rusticana with the lovely Intermezzo by Mascagni, all rounded off with a Beecham favourite and melodic masterpiece, Bizet’s Symphony in C."
Mike Marsh
Ed. Notes
- Prize money donated by long serving member and orchestra benefactor Ernest Smith, and “Friends of the Orchestra” F. Elizabeth Cable and Ian Kenwright.
- All proceeds from this concert were given to St Ambrose Church as part of the agreement to allow the Westbourne Orchestra to rehearse in the church every week.
- In addition to Paul Coles, two other competitors were present at this concert Rob Hanmore, member of the cellist section in the Orchestra and twelve year old Bolton Browne. Bolton is a member of the PDCA affiliated with the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, the Musician’s Union, the Society for the Promotion of New Music and the PRS. His ambition for the future is to win the Prix de Rome.
- Prior to the concert on the 24 th June at St Ambrose Church, professional photographer Mike Burnside took a group photograph of the 60 strong orchestra. Subsequent proofs have turned out to be quite splendid. Mounted copies are available in 3 sizes at £6.50, £8.50 and for the large A3 size £16.50. Copies are obtainable from Liz Sansom tel. no. 01202 708484 or email liz@elizabethsansom.co.uk
The same programme was presented at St. Katharine’s Church Southbourne on the previous Saturday 18th June when Mr Andrew Burn, Head of Education and Ensembles of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and one of the judges of the Richard Davis Composer's Competition, was also was present. The panel of judges had made their assessment of the music from the manuscript scores submitted by the composers and computer generated audio reproductions.
Mr Burn accepted an invitation to address the audience prior to the premier presentation of the winning score “Huzza” by Paul Coles.
"I understand it is now nearly 2 years ago that WOS secretary Jean Budd came up with the idea of a Composers Competition as a way of celebrating their 75th anniversary.
"The WOS committee thought this was a great idea.
"The committee went on to suggest that the name of Richard Davis who was chairman of the Society for over 25 years should be included in the title of the competition in recognition of the tremendous amount of work he did for the Orchestra during his period of office.
"This enterprise was virgin territory for the Westbourne Orchestra. Never in its 75 year history has there ever an attempt at such an undertaking. Nevertheless it has been quite a success with 9 composers expressing an interest and 6 actually submitting scores.
"The competition was advertised in a limited way but with no boundaries and we received interest from as far away as Northern Ireland and Scotland as well as from nearer home.
"The other competition judges were Mr Sam Newgarth the WOS conductor and Mr Robert Haydon Clark, Director of the Consort of London.
"The scores were submitted under code numbers so that there could be no possible chance of nepotism.
"Happily, as it turned out, the winner of the competition Paul Coles is in fact a resident of Poole. This is not really so surprising when you consider the vast amount of musical activity conducted in the Poole and Bournemouth area."
In addition Mr Burn commented on the enjoyable and varied choice of programme and how pleasant it was to hear Eric Coates played live. He felt that Eric Coates’ superb music has been regretfully somewhat neglected in the concert halls over the last several years.”
Proceeds from this concert were given to the very deserving charity Cruse Bereavement Care
Finally, the same programme was presented at St. Thomas’ Church Ensbury Park on Saturday 25th June.
On the 24th and 25th Tricia Davis as Competition Coordinator addressed the audiences just before “Huzza” along similar lines to that of Mr. Andrew Burn above.
On this occasion proceeds, after some orchestra expenses, were given to St. Thomas’ Church funds.
WOS Review 20/VK
29th June, 2005
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The
Westbourne Orchestra is supported in part by the Portman Building Society.
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