Family Strings Concert delights!

“Fantastic concert.  My 8 and 16 year olds both enjoyed it.  Great that children were free – made it accessible”(Audience comment).

 “Amazing! A great mixture of music, perfect length for my 9 year old.  Thank you very much!”

What a tremendous family concert took place at St John’s Church on Friday 21st February!  With some 64 attendees of whom almost half were children and young people (aged from 6 months to 16 years), St John’s felt wonderfully full and vibrant.  Virtuosi Strings  - a string quartet (with Neil Valentine, who acted as compere, Nicola, Lucy-Anne, and Helen) - made a fabulous sound in the wonderful acoustics of St John’s. With a wide repertoire ranging from Adele and Taylor Swift to Hans Zimmer, to Mozart and Handel, and inspirations from Skyfall and Pirates of the Caribbean – all  with light touch explanations and insights - this was a great event. All ages were welcomed with juice/biscuits provided after concert. PLUS – the opportunity for children to meet and have a go on the instruments.

Many thanks to Hampshire County Council for their grant towards the costs of the concert which meant that St John’s could make it free for children and young people.

Comments from the Children included:

I did not know that . . .  .

·         It was possible to play Taylor Swift on the strings!

·         That the concert got a grant

·         They could play music from Madagascar!

“A pleasant, vibrant mixture of music pieces balanced to maintain the interest of the children, Particularly interested in the Adele compositions.  Well done – a lovely experience!”

“Wonderful, varied programme and so beautifully played.  Something for everyone.  So good that chamber music is made available in a small local church – no need to go to London or Southampton.  Very good that HCC is still funding concerts like this – please keep it up. So important for our children.”

“That was heaven – thanks! Brought our musical kids (9 and 13) and they loved it.”

“Wouldn’t change a thing! Perfect! We would definitely come again.  Thank you so much!”

“Super choice of varied music.  Neil was very good both as compere and viola.  Great to see this, especially in a church.”