Westmorland Youth Orchestra, Kendal Parish Church

The Westmorland Youth Orchestra’s uplifting end-of-year concert showed an impressive range of talents in solos, conductors and composition. Holly Chalcraft and Freya Rock demonstrated virtuosity and the ability to lead in an exciting, rhythmic performance of Bach's Double Violin Concerto. Mary Ormerod left the audience at wallowing in her double bass's velvety tones in Bryan Kelly’s Caliban and Ariel suite. Josh Ayrton demonstrated mature assertiveness when conducting the wind and percussion, bringing out a "softer... more lyrical side" to Scott Joplin. He was matched by David McGregor conducting his own composition Waltz, bringing the programme to a rousing end. More burgeoning talent was on display in the cheerful ‘welcome music’ from Stella Foxcroft's increasingly popular WYO Brass group. The concert began with three movements from Tchaikovsky's Pathétique Symphony under the baton of Roland Fudge. The passionate final movement, enriched by powerful bass instruments, was played with assured control and expression. The WYO said goodbye to several loyal players, notably leader Chalcraft, who was awarded the Probus Shield for outstanding contribution. Long-standing supporters Olive Clarke and Roger Bingham became the first recipients of the ‘Front Benchers’ cushions.

Lizzy Buckle