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Civic Festival Concert – Sunday 28th June 2026

Join the Elstree Mozart Players for a spectacular evening of music at this year’s Civic Festival, featuring a rich and uplifting programme with sparkling classics, lyrical gems, and one of the greatest symphonies ever written, this concert promises an unforgettable musical experience.

The Elstree Mozart Players were founded in 2018 by Derek Holland, Pat Strack, and Andrew Grady, with the aim of bringing high‑quality classical music to the communities of Elstree and Borehamwood.

The orchestra is made up of a blend of professional musicians, semi‑professionals, and highly skilled amateurs, assembled on a concert‑by‑concert basis to create a flexible ensemble capable of performing a wide range of repertoire to a professional standard.

The concert will be led by the Musical Director, Derek Holland, and introducing Meg Storer who will conduct the opening work to be performed, Schubert’s Overture in C, In the Italian Style, a bright and effervescent curtain‑raiser brimming with operatic flair.

A moment of serene beauty follows with Zipoli’s Adagio all’ Eleviazione for cello, oboe, and orchestra, featuring soloists Juliet Maclean and Barry Solomon.

The spotlight then turns to a rare treat: Crusell’s Concertante in B-flat, Op. 3, showcasing the virtuosity of wind soloists Stephen Randall (clarinet), Caitlin Stock (bassoon), and Tim Egan (horn).

Violinist Serena Leader brings charm and elegance to two of Fritz Kreisler’s most beloved pieces, Liebesfreud and Liebeslied — before the orchestra delights with Grainger’s lively Country Gardens.

The evening reaches its pinnacle with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, Eroica — a bold, revolutionary masterpiece that changed the course of music history. Under Derek Holland’s direction, this monumental work promises a thrilling and powerful finale.

Celebrate the Civic Festival with an orchestra at the heart of the community and enjoy a night of exceptional music-making from the Elstree Mozart Players.

Tickets: £15.00 in advance, 20.00 with concessions: £15.00 on the night

Advance tickets are available and can be booked either:

Online: www.ticketsource.com/elstree-mozart-players or by email: elstreemozrtplayers@outlook.com or by phone: Pat Strack on 07790 305428

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Concert Review: Janice Watson Sings

All Saints Church, Borehamwood, Sunday 17th May 2026.

Featuring: Derek Holland on piano, Barry Solomon: oboe,

Serena Leader: violin. Elizabeth Venner: soprano and in duets with Janice.

This concert raised over £620.00 of funds for the Stroke Association and Prostrate Cancer UK, two charities supported by Goerge Carr, the current President of the Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood.

In attendance for this special concert was the Mayor of Hertsmere Cllr. Alpha Collins, accompanied by his consort, Rev. Louise Collins, and the newly enthroned Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood, Cllr. Tushar Kumar.

Rev Steven Young, the new vicar at All Saints Church welcomed everyone to the concert, which began this feast of music and singing with Janice singing Vivaldi’s ‘Filiae Maestae’ from his Gloria, accompanied by Derek – keyboard, Barry – oboe and Serena – violin. Next, Janice sung Puccini’s Un Bel di from Madame Butterfly, Derek on piano. I heartfelt and tragic song, beautifully sung, Janice calling on her years of operatic experience.

Between the singing, Serena played a selection of short pieces beginning with the beautiful Meditation from Thais, by Jules Massenet. She followed this with 4 short pieces by Fritz Kriesler, Allegretto, a waltz – Schon Rosmarin, Liebeslied and finally, Liebesfreud with Barry adding an oboe part to good effect.

Janice then sung Richard Strauss Lieder – Firstly, Allerselen from his Op.10 set of songs, then 2 songs from his Op.29 – Traum durch die Dammerung, Morgen, Zueignung. Derek accompanying in all songs.

Barry then provided some more short and entertaining pieces, starting with Gabriel’s Oboe, by Ennio Morricone from the film – The Mission. He then played the second movement of and Oboe Sonata by Camille Saint-Saens. To end this section, Barry played the Cor Anglais in an arrangement of the Sicilian by Gabriel Faure. To follow Elizabeth Venner sung Domine deus from the Gloria by Antonino Vivaldi, accompanied by Barry on oboe. Derek again accompanied on keyboard throughout.

Janice returned to the stage and sung a barnstorming piece; Preludio Para El Aano 3001 a futuristic work by Astor Piazzolla. Serena and Derek accompanied her. Next Janice sang ‘My House’ from the musical, Matilda, by Tim Minchin, with Barry, Serena and Derek accompanying.

Elizabeth joined Janice for the final two songs of this first half. Firstly, the beautiful Evening Prayer from Hansel & Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck. They ended with the Barcarolle from the Tales of Hoffman by Jacques Offenbach.

Janice and Elizabeth opened the second half with two more duets; The Trolley song from the show, Meet me in St Louis by H. Martin and My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music by Rodgers & Hammerstein. Their voices blending beautifully.

As an interlude, Serena played two more short pieces; Cantabile by Nicolai Paganini and a waltz called Valse Triste by von Vecsey, after Sibelius, who was the dedicatee of Sibelius’s violin concerto.

Janice then sung 3 songs from the world of Andrew Lloyd Webber: Wishing you were Somehow Here again from The Phantom of the Opera, Don’t Cry for me Argentina from Evita and finally, As if we never said Goodbye from Sunset Boulevard.

Barry and Serena then gave us 3 pieces. Beginning with the theme from Schindler’s List by John Williams, Barry weaving his Cor Anglais straight from the orchestral score between Serena’s violin part. Barry then played a piccolo oboe or musette in a piece called Tarantula was by Carl Baermann. Finally for entertainment value, Barry played a real piccolo in Lord Nelson’s Hornpipe, proving his versatility.

Janice returned to the stage for her two final songs. Firstly, the amusing and humorously observed satirical song ‘A word on my Ear’, by Flaunders & Swan, with wonderful repartee between her and Derek on piano. Finally, Meine Lippen from the operetta Giuditta by Franz Lehar.

A wonderfully constructed concert and enjoyed by the enthusiastic audience. Bravo to Janice, Elizabeth, Barry, Serena and Derek.

At the close of the concert, Cllr. Collins, Cllr. Kumar and Rotary President George Carr presented some a well-deserved ‘vote of thanks’ along with some gifts for all the performers.

Graham Wilson (Freelance Reviewer for EMP)

Photos: Andrew Grady & Clive Butchins & Cllr Tushar Kumar

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Elstree Mozart Players Scratch Choral Concert

All Saints Church, Borehamwood 14th March 2026 – 7:30pm.

The Elstree Mozart Players (EMP), conducted by Derek Holland. Guest conductor – Meg Storer. The Muswell Hill Chorus, Chorus master – Louise Sherlock. Soprano – Elizabeth Venner, Mezzo Soprano – Janice Watson, Tenor – Laurie Marks, Bass – Stuart Jenkins.


This long-anticipated Scratch Choral Concert began with a purely orchestral first half. EMP were delighted to invite Meg Storer to open proceedings by conducting Mozart’s brilliant Overture to The Magic Flute. She gave a wonderful rendition and received rapturous applause.

Next, Derek performed Schubert’s dramatic and romantic Unfinished Symphony, No.8 in B minor. The mysterious and brooding opening, he judged perfectly, and the tempo remained Allegro Moderato throughout. The second movement kept moving too; an Andante con moto that never slowed. Before the last note had finished, they got resounding applause from the audience.

Derek finished this half with some light classical music, On a Spring Note by Sidney Torch, who was also founder of the long running radio programme – Friday Night is Music Night. Derek and EMP never miss an opportunity to play these wonderfully orchestrated light classical works, and as always, the audience showed just how greatly they appreciate the music.

In the second half, there was just one work: – Mozart’s Requiem, nearly 50 minutes of music for Choir, soloists and orchestra. Among the soloists, was Internationally acclaimed opera singer Janice Watson, who continues her happy association with Derek and EMP. Also, Elizabeth Venner, Laurie Marks and Stuart Jenkins continue to show their mettle and shine for EMP on a regular basis.

Now although this was a scratch choral concert, which means anyone of any standard can turn up and sing, we had the superb services of the Muswell Hill Chorus. As a seasoned and well-trained group, they strengthened the choral lines and supported the enthusiastic, complete novices to good effect.

The performance was magnificent and well received at the end, all performers given hearty applause, especially our esteemed soloists. What a resounding vote of thanks to all involved!

Graham Wilson (Freelance Reviewer for EMP)