Imogen Holst would have loved to see this…

Never before was such a large string orchestra assembled at Ealing Fields High School! Students from four Twyford CofE Academies Trust schools, and other local guest players, joined the Nonesuch Orchestra for a special Strings Day. We worked on Imogen Holst’s wonderful Variations on “Loth to Depart” - a jewel of a piece she composed for double string orchestra and string quartet in 1962 that has not been performed for nearly 60 years. Our young friends also participated as we rehearsed Caroline Shaw’s hauntingly beautiful Entr’acte and Gustav Holst’s much-loved suite Brook Green - their musicality and responsiveness to conductor Dan Shilladay’s guidance was exemplary, and we hope they gained something from the experience of playing alongside us.

At the end of the workshop we all performed for an invited audience. But there was more to come, for on the following Sunday afternoon, fortified by tea and delicious cakes, we played the pieces to an appreciative audience at a public concert in St Peter’s Church, Acton Green. Also on the programme was Andrew Toovey’s enthralling new work Perception. Andrew has a special relationship with the Nonesuch Orchestra, as he has supported us in the past on several student composition projects.

This momentous project formed part of CoMA's 2024 Festival of Contemporary Music for All. We are most grateful for CoMA’s financial support, together with that of our loyal local sponsors: Acre Properties, Alisha Pharmacy, Priory Lettings and Management, and Simon Buhl Davis Interior Design. Finally, a big “thank you” to Mrs Felix McGonigal, the Trust’s Head of Specialist Music College, and all the schools’ music staff - it wouldn’t have happened without you!