On Saturday afternoon March 13 an eager adult cohort of ten met at NECOM to play chamber music together and perform solo items under the guidance of NECOM staff.
The afternoon was a huge success. Finding repertoire to suit the combination of instruments of four violins, two celli, a double bass, an oboe and saxophone, plus a soprano, was challenging but it all worked out brilliantly.
With the help of teachers Eliza Scott on violin, Joanna Fairs-Wu on viola and pianist Robyn Bradley three ensembles evolved. A string quartet, a trio for violin, oboe and cello and a jazz combo of piano, voice, sax and double bass. The afternoon finished off with an informal concert including two solo items, group performances and a couple of most enjoyable massed pieces, thanks to the Kaleidoscope Flexible Ensemble arrangements of Pie Jesu, Yesterday and Summertime. Thank you to Paul Marshall, Woodwind teacher and composer for especially arranging a real favourite, Baker Street, for the jazz combo.
This event was the first of its kind and the joy of making music together, building on sight reading skills and engaging socially with other adult learners was evidently a huge success . The plan is to provide this type of event twice a year. Look out for details for our next Adult Music Matters Workshop planned for Term 4.
– Joanna Fairs-Wu
