Hereford Cathedral School’s annual choral and orchestral concert on 14 March, filled Hereford Cathedral with an evening of exhilarating music, featuring a diverse programme from Bach and Mozart to Bernstein and Zimmer.
The concert opened with the school’s Symphony Orchestra, highlighting two accomplished Year 13 soloists. Seth Moore delivered a poised performance of two movements from Bach’s Orchestral Suite No.2, while Joe Blackman gave a technically assured rendition of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, conducted with flair by Jack Stones in his HCS conducting debut.
The first half also featured Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture, selections from Bernstein’s West Side Story, and Zimmer’s Gladiator score, performed with energy and passion.
The evening concluded with Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, a dramatic and demanding choral work, performed by the combined forces of the Chapel Choir, Senior Chamber Choir, and an orchestra of staff, alumni and friends. The performers were joined by guest soloists Ruairi Bowen and Johannes Moore, both distinguished alumni of the school.
HCS Director of Music, Mr Barlow, reflected on the evening’s success: “With over 120 performers, Friday’s concert showcased the very best of Hereford Cathedral School’s musical talent and endeavour. Congratulations to student soloists Seth Moore and Joe Blackman, who both gave technically accomplished performances on flute and clarinet with real poise and panache. A special mention should also go to Jack Stones for his HCS conducting debut, directing the second movement of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto with flair and sensitivity. Our Symphony Orchestra showed real ambition tackling such a diverse programme of works from Tchaikovsky to Bernstein and Zimmer, bringing energy and vitality to each work in turn. With thanks to our guest musicians as well as all the pupils, staff, parents and friends who performed a demanding and dramatic Puccini work with aplomb, making a fitting climax to a thrilling evening.”
The concert was met with enthusiastic applause, marking another triumphant celebration of Hereford Cathedral School’s rich musical tradition.
