A Guest Post by Colin James
An audience
of over 130 guests gave rapturous applause to a range of local artists
performing works from Bach to Adele at the end of a highly successful charity
concert at Chichester High School for Girls last Friday evening. The event,
managed by Chichester High School student, Katie James, raised over £1750 for
charity Project Trust, which has selected Katie to teach English from August
for a year in schools in one of the poorest regions of rural Southern India.
Chichester’s
Opposite Sax hit the quality tone from the outset before handing over to
xylophone virtuoso, Chris Beaumont, known for his musical connection with Sir
Patrick Moore and version of “Have I got News for You!” Music lovers were then
able to reflect on the outstanding quieter pieces from the Cellorinos, an all-female
ensemble with their take on pieces from Ravel to Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade
of Pale,” Breathe, the flute ensemble that won first place in the Arun Young
Musician Competition as well as stunning solo performances from Andrew Martin,
Adam Barker and Graham Elliott. After the first intermission Chichester Strings’
gripping performance of “Palladio” brought the guests rapidly back to their
seats to be followed by Take 5’s wonderful renditions of the Glenn Miller era. Molly
Peel’s beautifully evocative voice brought a contemporary feel with songs,
arranged by guitarist, George Sullivan, with the event being brought to a
brilliant finale by the sheer energy and improvisation of Jazz Quintet, a group
arranged for the evening by Jason Mathias.
Katie, 17, who
performed in four of the acts, paid tribute to the role of West Sussex Music
Service for its support and development of over forty of the talented artists
on show and added,
“Tonight
would not have been possible without the support of an amazing backstage team
of helpers from current and former local sixth form students. I also want to
thank local businesses for their support for our Silent Auction.”
