What a wonderful concert the children put on in the church on Sunday 17 October ……… with the help of one or two rather talented adults!

From the moment the Travellers Band struck up with Pitoni’s Cantate Domino to the finale when we all joined in and sang “Sing Hosannah”, it was pure joy. All the performances were of an incredibly high standard.

Highlights? Every number was a highlight but 8-year old Hannah Banks’s cool-as-a-cucumber violin rendition of Scottish Brawl made one smile from ear-to-ear. Olivia Nettleton and Alexander Lloyd, both age 10 and both on recorder, were similarly unfazed by the large audience; and Olivia’s younger sister, Isobel, played a beautiful version of Ekode’s Minuet on cello. Alexandra Brown also played a lovely classical guitar solo.

But there were bigger people there too – Frances Beaumont produced a lovely sound on her flute as she played Philippe Gaubert’s Madrigal and Anusha Leathard sang Ave Maria with a quietly understated confidence.

And who can forget the 42 members of the children’s choir under the brilliant guidance of Susannah Nettleton. The enjoyment comes in 3 phases:
• Seeing them being “marshalled” into their inch-perfect individual position on stage by Susannah.
• The delightfully varied expressions on their faces, especially those of the boys!
• And, last but not least, the marvellously uninhibited sound they produce.

The Band played three sets of demanding pieces from their repertoire, usually heard at the beginning and end of the informal services on the first Sunday of each month. It provides a special opportunity for youngsters and adults to make music together – with an age range of 6 to 60!

Between all these items we heard great performances from a recorder group and string group that were formed specially for this event.

Enormous thanks go to several people. Martin Hinckley, for all his time and devotion in organising the concert and conducting the Band. Susannah Nettleton, for the choir and string group. Jackie Allen, for the recorder group. Ash Charles, for his ever-present support on keyboard. Also to the other adults who supported in the band, choir and other groups. And most important of all, the youngsters who took part!

There were over 120 in the audience, who raised a substantial sum for the Open Doors Appeal, and everyone felt they had been given fantastic value for money.

Source: Clive Beaumont, The Spire Magazine - 2004 December