JAGS Choral and Orchestral Concert

St John’s, Smith Square was the beautiful setting for our Spring Concert on Sunday 2 May. JAGS Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Director of Music Leigh O’Hara and Elinor Corp, played three towering works: Bacchanale from ‘Samson and Dalila’ by Saint-Saëns, Cello Concerto in D Minor (1st movement: Prelude (Lento) –Allegro maestoso) by Lalo (cello soloist: Morwenna Read, Year 13 Music Scholar), and Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’.

The second half of the programme was devoted to Britten’s ‘St Nicolas’, and featured members of our school choirs singing with the JAGS Choral Society and Chamber Orchestra. Andrew Mackenzie-Wicks lent his huge baritone voice to the expressive interpretation. Audience participation was positively encouraged! We all rose to the challenge of the two congregational hymns and the Director of Music looked quite pleased.

The evening was, as he said, the perfect demonstration of what gifted musicians can do with such opportunities. ‘It is a special experience to be able to perform great music with your peers, older and younger girls, teachers, professional musicians and sometimes your parents! Such talented musicians deserve better facilities and we are delighted that the full proposal for our new Community Music Centre, including Rick Mather’s innovative design, is now in the process of being submitted to Southwark Council for planning permission.’

We have reached a crucial point in the JACMC Campaign. Details of one of the most exciting projects JAGS has ever undertaken can be found on the website: www.jags.org.uk/jacmc