Welcome to this evening’s concert.

For the first time, and in line with a growing trend in concert halls, we are presenting a digital programme. As long as your phone is on silent, please feel free to use it to follow along.

We are delighted, as always, to be back in Romsey Abbey, which has firmly established itself as one of the premier concert venues in the region. We are grateful to have a place in its calendar, and extend our thanks to Chris, Liz, and the Music in Romsey team for hosting us, by kind permission of the Vicar and PCC. The Abbey presents some wonderful concerts throughout the year, and next year it will also be home to the Romsey Festival.

This evening’s programme was inspired by the opportunity to collaborate once again with Jenny Deacon and the wonderful Sweet Charity Choir, following the success of our performance together at Union Chapel. We wanted to share music with as wide an audience as possible, and concerts featuring film and show music are a tried and tested way to bring both audience and performers real enjoyment.

Tonight, we invite you on a whistle-stop tour through some of the most iconic sounds from stage and screen, spanning the last 60 years. From shimmering string textures and bold brass fanfares, to poignant vocal melodies and moments of sheer exuberance, we hope to transport you into a place of joy and relaxation.

Our nominated charity for this evening is Southampton Sight, and later in the concert we will hear testimony about their vital work.

Next year marks the orchestra’s 20th anniversary, and we look forward to celebrating with you at future concerts as we continue our musical and fundraising journey.

Craig Lawton, Artistic Director

Programme part 1

Selections from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

John Williams (Arr. J. Brubaker)

Main title, Anakin's Theme, Jar Jar's Introduction, Augie's Great Muicipal Band, Duel of the Fates and End Credits

You Will Be Found from the musical Dear Evan Hansen

Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (Arr. J. Deacon)

Title theme from The Big Country

Jerome Moross (Arr. R. Ling)

The theme from the 1958 film The Big Country is surely the epitome of "Western" music: you can see the cowboys, the cattle, the arid lanscape , the waggons spread out before you! Jerome Moss wrote a large amount of music but noting that quite matched up to the brilliance of this piece.

Skyfall from the 2012 James Bond Film 

Adele (Arr.JD)

Back to the Future Suite

Alan Silvestri

Power of Love

Huey Lewis & the News (Arr. J D)

Bring Him Home from the Musical Les Miserables 

Schoenberg (Arr. J D)

Interval

Programme Part 2

Selectioni from the Musical Miss Saigon

Claude-Michel Schoenberg (Arr. C. Custer)

Overture, Sun and Moon, The Heat is On in Saigon, Last Night of the World, The American Dream

Greatest Showman at the Moulin Rouge 

Various (Arr. J D)

Seasons of Love from the musical Rent

Jonathan Larson (Arr. J D)

Hymn to the fallen from the motion picture Saving Private Ryan

John Williams

Saving Private Ryan is certainly one of the Steven Spielberg's most powerful films. The accumlative effect of his great photography and the splendid performances contained in the film combine to produce a jolting emotional impaact, particularly in the closing moments of the movie.

Preparing the music for this portion of the film presented a particular challenge in that the music needed to be effectively reverent in tone while still being quiet and simple enough so as not to intrude of the private reflections of each viewer. It occured to me that the music could be vocal, at least to the extent that it featured a choral texture but without relying on a written text that might present a distraction for the audience. 

In writing the music, the falen heros shown in the film were constantly in my mind and it is to the memory of the real-life heroes portrayed so convincingly the film that I have the privilege of dedicating this music - John Williams

What a Wonderful World from the film Good Morning Vietnam

Theile & Weiss (Arr. J D)

Highlights from Jurassic Park

John Williams (Arr. C. Custer)

Disney Medley

Various (Arr. J D)

Jessica Lawless - Leader

Jessica is a long-standing player with the Charity Symphony Orchestra who has since settled in Hackbridge to work as a performing musician and instrumental teacher. Jessica first began playing the violin aged 8, and is proud to have learnt through Hampshire Music Service. Jessica graduated with a Masters of Music (Solo Performance Certificate) from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2017, specialising in contemporary realisations and Mozart Opera. Jessica studied with globally recognised violinists including Lowri Porter, Nancy Johnson and Rachel Podger. Jessica has undertaken freelance performing with the National Symphony Orchestra, British Sinfonietta and the Taki Concordia Women's Orchestra under Marin Alsop. Passionate about music education and the power it has to change individual lives, Jessica is an experienced instrumental teacher who works for Sutton Music Trust and Surrey Arts Hub engaging with young people in schools and the community whilst maintaining a variety of musical interests. As well as touring internationally, Jessica has also performed at the Royal Festival Hall and St David's Hall and has worked with iconic conductors such as Carlo Rizzi and Wyn Davies.