In a captivating concert held at Dore Abbey, around 100 pupils and 35 adult singers from Hereford Cathedral School’s choirs performed Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, impressing the audience with their skill and precision. The evening featured solo performances from pupils in Years 9 to 12, with standout contributions from Bessie B, Sophie W, Sophie S, Clara M, and Fifi P, who delivered their parts with remarkable poise and flair.
The concert opened in dramatic fashion, with the Chamber Choir singing a cappella pieces by Philip Stopford, Charles Wood, and Anton Bruckner in darkness, setting a solemn tone. This was followed by a rendition of Remo Giazotto’s Adagio in G minor for strings and organ, featuring student soloists Sofia VW on violin and Jack S on organ. Sofia’s confident cadenza passages and rich tone provided a memorable start to the evening.
The Cantabile Girls’ Choir then delivered moving performances of works by Bob Chilcott and Sarah Quartel, as well as a stirring rendition of Sally Albrecht’s Alleluia. Staying true to the Baroque theme, five student violinists—Sofia VW, Clara M, Arabella C, Zoe F, and Hannah W—gave a confident and stylish performance of the first movement of Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins.
The first half of the program concluded with Gordon Jacob’s Concertino for Clarinet and Strings, with Joe B as the featured soloist. The piece, which reworks material from Guiseppe Tartini’s violin sonatas for clarinet, showcased Joe’s exceptional tone and technical mastery, particularly during the two fast-paced movements.
The concert was a remarkable achievement for all the performers, who managed to deliver such a demanding program after just four weeks of preparation—a true testament to their dedication and musical talent.
