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Christmas at the Cathedral
The Annual ULMS Christmas Concert at Lancaster Cathedral took place on the evening of Wednesday 15th December. The Symphonic Wind Band, Brass Band, Choir and Symphony Orchestra all performed in front of an audience so large, the start of the concert was delayed by five minutes in order that everyone could get in and be seated.
The Symphonic Wind Band opened the concert with Hark the Herald Angels Sing under their principal conductor, Max Stannard. They then turned away from Christmas Music playing a piece which they had performed whilst winning their Gold Award at the NCBF, Philip Sparke’s A Quiet Moment, and a beautiful arrangement of the spiritual My Lord What a Morning by Fred Allen entitled, When the Stars Began to Fall. Assistant Conductor, Hannah Ogden, returned to the Christmas theme, with The Christmas Song and The First Noel, before finishing with Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral, an arrangement from Wagner’s Lohengrin, very appropriate in this setting.
The Brass Band was up next, with a couple of up beat arrangements conducted by Assistant Conductor Laura Hounsome. First was the crowd pleasing Jingle Bells by Derek Ashmore, which was followed by the breathtaking arrangement of Gaudete by Rodney Newton, featuring every section, as well as Rachael Keefe on kit. The band took a more serious tone as they finished with two arrangements of classical works under Principal Conductor Max Stannard. The first was Leonard Boellmann’s Suite Gothique arranged as a test piece for Brass Band by Eric Ball. The band performed the Choral and the Toccata, which would feature the Bass section consisting of Chris Osborn, Rhian Davies and Hannah Dunn, and Jonathon Parton on Euphonium. The first half was brought to a close with Christopher Wormald’s arrangement of Mahler’s Resurrection.
The Choir began the second half of the concert once everyone had trooped back from the Community Centre across the road, where they had been treated to refreshments. The Choir began with In Dulci Jubilo under Principal Conductor Amelia Phillips, before handing over to Suzy Wimbourne, the Assistant Conductor as they sung A Boy Was Born and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Once again Amelia Philips took to the stand conducting Silent Night, dedicated to Simon’s nan, Margaret. Next was the Lullaby from Hodie featuring soloist Elizabeth Solera Shepherd. The final piece of the choir’s set was The Three Kings, which featured a solo from Rafael Oyelade.
The Symphony Orchestra began their set under Principal Conductor, Simon Gower playing Scene from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite. Simon then conducted the premiere of his own composition especially for the ULMS Symphony Orchestra, the symphonic tone poem, The Winter Palace. Christopher Wadeson, the Assistant Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra then conducted the well known piece by Leroy Anderson, Sleigh Ride.
The evening once again ended with carols with the ULMS Symphony Orchestra featuring the Choir and audience, this year conducted by Amelia Phillips. The carols were Once in Royal David’s City, featuring Laura Coverley singing the first verse as a solo, Ding Dong Merrily on High, and Oh Come All Ye Faithful. The percussion section would like to add their gratitude to Jonathan Parton’s assistance during the carols.
The concert was a great end to the term which had been very busy for the society. Many people commented on the high standard of playing, and also the great turn out. The hours of giving out flyers must have paid off. Thanks must go to everyone in the society: the performers, conductors, ensemble reps and committee for all the hard work they have put in this term. Bring on 2011!
