On Saturday 7th October 2023 the Elstree Mozart Players Autumn Charity Concert was organised to raise money for Alzheimer’s UK, being charity supported by Andrew Grady, a founder of Elstree Mozart Players, who is this year president of The Rotary Club of the Studios of Elstree and Borehamwood.
The orchestra being set up as a joint venture between Andrew Grady, Derek Holland and Pat Strack, having amongst its ranks many professional, semi-professional and very good amateur musicians, providing high quality classical music concerts around the locality.
The concert was conducted by regular conductor Derek Holland with Andrew Penny MBE as a guest conductor. Mr Penny and his wife are personal friends of Mr Grady, being a former colleague his late mother Mary Grady.
The concert featured music from Sir Arthur Sullivan, Elgar, and Tchaikovsky. The highlight of the concert was a rare performance of Violin Concerto in E minor by York Bowen performed by Peter Bussereau.
We were delighted to welcome our Cllrs Richard Butler Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council and the Orchestra’s new President Cllr John Graham, a former Brough Mayor.
Also in attendance was Deputy Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Cllr Alpha Collins who gave an inspiring speech at the end of the evening.
The Studio Rotary Club members assisted to present a fantastic classical musical concert working both on the front of house ticket desk as well as providing the refreshments during the evening concert and assisting with setup and take down.
Mr Grady would like to thank all those club members who assisted with the smooth operation of this concert and all those who donated raffle prizes, which raised £380.00 on the night for the Altzheimer’s Society.
This was one of the most successful and best attended jointly run concert the orchestra and club have organised to date.
Elstree Mozart Players are pleased to announce that Cllr. John Graham, will be the orchestra’s first President.
John has been influential in the last twelve months in supporting and promoting the Orchestra throughout the county during his term as ‘Hertsmere Borough Council Mayor 2022-23’, and has agreed to assume this role with the orchestra with immediate effect.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDIO ROTARY CLUB 2023-24 – ANDREW GRADY
On 7th October 2023 the Elstree Mozart players will be performing their regular autumn concert.
Andrew is one of the founders of Elstree Mozart Players and has a wealth of knowledge and contacts in the brass and orchestral scene through family connections.
The concert on 7th of October will feature some light music and include a performance of York Bowen’s violin concerto, soloist: Peter Busserau, conductor Derek Holland.
The orchestra will also feature under the baton of a special guest conductor, Andrew Penny MBE light music from the pen of Sir Arthur Sullivan, and Eric Coates.
Andrew Penny MBE hails from Kingston Upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, and is an English Conductor.
He has recorded a complete cycle of Malcolm Arnold’s Symphonies.
From 1982 to 2022, he was Musical Director of the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra. In November 1999 he directed two performances of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (the symphony of a thousand), as part of the Millennium celebrations in Hull.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to music.
Andrew will be joining resident conductor, Derek Holland for this concert which will feature Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture, Sir Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Glinka Ruslan, and Ludmilla.
The concert is a must for those who like light classical music.
Tickets will go on sale on 1st September and will be staged at Allum Hall, 2 Allum Lane in Elstree.
For more information about this concert or the orchestra please contact:
Pat Strack on 0208 3863151 Email – pat.strack@icloud.com
Andrew Grady 0208 953 7363 Email – elstreemozartplayers@outlook.com
On Sunday 11th June Elstree Mozart Players performed their Summer Concert at All Saints Church, which heralded the opening of Elstree and Borehamwood’s Civic Festival 2023.
Cllr. Rebecca Chalice, the Mayor of Elstree & Borehamwood welcomed the audience to the concert.
Cllr Chalice was joined by the Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Richard Butler, who represented the new mayor of Hertsmere Cllr. Chris Gray.
The concert featured a wide variety of music and included several solo performances from members of the orchestra.
The concert opened with a rousing rendition of Rossini’s Overture II, ‘Signor Brushino’ which was skilfully executed by the orchestra, under the direction of Derek Holland.
Next the orchestra accompanied Barry Soloman, on Cor Anglais and Dylan Lahner on trumpet, in a performance of Quiet City, for Cor Anglais and Trumpet.
Then the orchestra, consisting of over 30 musicians from across the area performed Waltz Citrine, and the Concert March HRH The Countess of Wessex, two pieces from the pen of Peter Wilson, the orchestra’s resident composer.
Before the interval, we were treated to a masterclass on the Cello with a performance of Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major, performed by the orchestra principal cellist Juliet Maclean. Her performance received a standing ovation in what was a faultless performance of the work.
After the internal the orchestra’s principal Clarinettist, Stephen Randall enchanted the audience with a performance of Carl Maria von Weber’s Clarinet concerto No. 2 in Eb Major, receiving a rapturous applause from the over sixty strong audience in attendance.
To close the concert the orchestra performed Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 in A ‘The Italian’ to round off a wonderful evening of music making.
Conductor Derek Holland, who with Pat Strack and Andrew Grady founded Elstree Mozart Players was overwhelmed with the outstanding performance of both the orchestra and soloists that performed during the evening’s concert, commenting ‘That he was so pleased to be able to present such a high-quality concert for the townsfolk and to raise the curtain on this year’s Civic Festival’.
The concert raised £200.00 for Woodcock Hill Village Green, a local community charitable organisation that is trying to safeguard a much-loved area of the town from being developed.
At the close of the concert Cllr. Chalice added her vote of thanks for all those had made the evening possible.
This included the churchwarden Pam Kubica, for allowing the use of the church for the evening’s concert, Hazel McAuliffe, Pat Strack, for providing the refreshments; the front of house team which included Cllr. John Graham, Cllr. Sandra Parnell, Andrew & Erika Grady, plus members of the Studio’s Rotary Club, Raymond Shamash, and Sam Covill.
Cllr. Butler then presented some flowers to Juliet Maclean thanking her for the inspirational solo she gave as part of the evenings concert.
The next concert from Elstree Mozart Players is on Saturday 7th October. The orchestra will be presenting, in collaboration with The Rotary Club of the Studios of Elstree and Borehamwood a charity concert, in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.
The concert will be given at Allum Manor & Hall, Elstree at 7.30pm, and features Glinka Russia and Ludmilla Overture; Pomp & Circumstance March no 1, by Elgar.
Performances of Henry VIII Suite by Sir Arthur Sullivan, and Eric Coates Flight will be performed, both works to be conducted by Guest Conductor Andrew Penny MBE.
The concert also includes a performance of York Bowes Violin Concerto, featuring soloist Peter Busserau, with the Finale for the concert being Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. It’s a concert not to be missed.
Tickets cost £15.00 with £12.00 concessions, being available from the 1st September 2023
If anyone requiring more information about, or interested in becoming a Patron of the orchestra then please contact either:
Pat Strack on 020 8386 3151 or Andrew Grady on 07802 736628
The next concert is on Sunday 11th June 2023 at 7.30pm we will be performing a concert as part of Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council’s Civic Festival.
The concert will include music by Weber, Mendelson, and Wilson, including performance of Haydn’s Cello Concerto, soloist Juliet Maclean.
In addition Barry Solomon and Dylan Lehner will be the soloists in a performance of ‘Quiet City’ by Copeland.
The concert will be rasing funds to support Woodock Hill Village Green
Tickets cost £15.00 with £12.00 concessions on the door with tickets available at £10.00 in advance from Ticket Master https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/elstree-mozart-players/t-eaqqlpx
For more information, please contact either: Pat Strack on 020 8386 3151 or Andrew Grady on 07802 736628 or E-mail: elstreemozartplayers@outlook.com
On Saturday 1st April 2023 Elstree Mozart Players organised a concert of Handel’s celebrated ‘Messiah from Scratch’ to support The Peace Hospice, the chosen charity for our Mayor of Hertsmere Cllr. John Graham.
Cllr. Graham, a Patron of the orchestra invited other Mayors’ and civic dignitaries from across Hertfordshire to this concert.
Those in attendance included, The Chair of Hertfordshire County Council, Cllr. Annie Brewster, the Deputy Mayor of St Albans, Cllr Syed Abi, the Mayor of Stevenage Borough Council Cllr. Margaret Notley, the Deputy Mayor of Dacorum District Council Cllr. Alan Johnson, pictured below.
Cllr John Graham, Mayor of Hertsmere with invited Mayors’ and civic dignatories fromn across Hertfordshire
The concert included choir members from Radlett, Wembley, and Borehamwood, along with other individuals interested in being part in the evenings concert.
Soloists for the evening were:
Nicola Hooke, Soprano, who has given several BBC TV and Radio broadcasts for religious programmes, gave a vocal performance presenting tonal balance being a pleasure for the gathered audience to listen to.
Janice Watson, Mezzo Soprano who is well known to concert goes around the globe, renowned for the beauty of her sound, and a recipient of the Kathleen Ferrier Award. Janice’s exquisite voice enthralled the chorus to sing their hearts with open voice.
John Upperton, Tenor, who has appeared with the Royal Opera House, English National Opera gave an enchanted rendition of the Arias within the Messiah.
Stuart Jenkins, Bass who has sung a wide range of choral music and styles and as a soloist he has performed in works by Handel, Purcell, Mozart, Telemann, Rutter, Gilbert & Sullivan gave a strong performance.
In the Aria ‘The Trumpet Shall Sound’ Stuart was joined by Alison Perry who played her part of the solo trumpet with dignity, as required by the composer.
Derek Holland, Conductor, who with Cllr. Pat Strack and Andrew Grady founded Elstree Mozart Players was overwhelmed with the outstanding performance of both the orchestra and the over 40 members of the gathered combined choirs, commenting ‘That he was so pleased to be able to present such a high-quality concert for the townsfolk and to raise funds for Cllr. John Grahams designated charity for his year in office’.
Derek was also grateful to Louise Sherlock, who acted as chorus master for the evenings concert, and for Chris Gundry, who was our guest leader of the orchestra, in a change to the published programme.
At the close of the concert Cllr Graham added a vote of thanks for all those had made the evening possible, the current ‘Team Lead for The Anglican Churches in Elstree and Borehamwood’, Rev. Louise Collins, and the churchwarden Pam Kubica, for allowing the use of the church for the evenings concert.
Cllr. John Graham thanking the solists for the evening at the close of the concert
Others who made the concert possible were Hazel McAuliffe, Cllr. Sandra Parnell, Cllr. Victor Eni, Sasha and Michael Capocci, Erika Grady, Sam Covill, and Geof Strack.
Elstree Mozart Players
The next concert from Elstree Mozart Players is on Sunday 11th June 2023 as part of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council’s Civic Festival.
It will include music by Weber, Copeland, Mendelson, and Wilson, plus a performance of Haydn’s Cello Concerto, soloist Julie Maclean.
Tickets cost £15.00 with £12.00 concessions and will be available from the 1st May 2023.
On Saturday 7th October the orchestra will be presenting, in collaboration with The Rotary Club of the Studios of Elstree and Borehamwood a charity concert, in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.
The concert will be given at Allum Manor & Hall, Elstree at 7.30pm, and features Glinka Russia and Ludmilla Overture; Pomp & Circumstance March no 1, by Elgar.
Performances of Henry VIII Suite by Sir Arthur Sullivan, and Eric Coates Flight will be presented, both works to be conducted by Guest Conductor Andrew Penny MBE.
The concert also includes a performance of York Bowes Violin Concerto, featuring soloist Peter Busserau, with the Finale for the concert being Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. It’s a concert not to be missed.
Tickets cost £15.00 with £12.00 concessions, being available from the 1st September 2023
If anyone requiring more information about, or interested in becoming a Patron of the orchestra then please contact either:
Pat Strack on 020 8386 3151 or Andrew Grady on 07802 736628
The orchestra’s 2023 season starts on Saturday 1st April 2023 at 7.30pm presenting a charity concert at All Saints Church in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, in aid of The Peace Hospice in Watford.
This is the designated charity for Cllr. John Graham, Mayor of Hertsmere 2022-3
The concerts feature’s a performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah from Scratch’. If you would like to sing in this concert, please contact Derek Holland on derek.holland3@btopenworld.com
Tickets are £15.00, with £12.00 Concessions at the door, though bought in advance are £10.00 per head, and are available via the below link from 1st February 2023.
On Saturday 10th December Elstree Mozart Players, presented a fundraising Festive Concert in aid of Borehamwood Foodbank.
The charity is the designated causes for the mayor of the town Cllr Sandra Parnell, raising over £200.
The concert was attended by The Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Victor Eni, with the Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Clive Butchins, and his wife Elaine, who was deputising for the town mayor.
From left to right: Cllr. Clive Butchins, Deputy Mayor EBTC, Cllr. Pat Strack, Leader EBTC, Andrew Grady, Sasha Capocci, and Cllr. Victor Eni, Deputy Mayor Hertsmere Borough Council.
At the beginning of the concert Cllr. Eni welcomed everyone to the concert, and introduced the Leader of the Orchestra Lucy Cumming, and then the conductor, Derek Holland.
The audience were enthralled by a performance of an eighteen-year-old Cellist Edwin Gatward of Rococo’s Theme for Cello and Orchestra.
The orchestra performed a programme of seasonal festive music or all tastes, featuring Overture to Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck, which was conducted by Adrian Brown, a Patron of the Elstree Mozart Players. Adrian was a pupil of Sir Adrian Boult and has conducted the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra as well as many well-known orchestras around the country.
Also performed were Sleigh Ride from Three German dances K605 by Mozart, Polonaise from Christmas Eve Suite by Rimsky Korsakov; three movements from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky: Trepak, Dance of the Mirlitons Waltz of the Flowers, a Short Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Dorothy Parke, and Autumn from The Seasons by Alexandar Glazunov.
Also performed were two pieces from the pen of the resident composer for the Orchestra, Peter Wilson: The Field Marshals Baton and Emerald Green.
The gathered audience joined the Orchestra in singing two Christmas carols: O come all ye Faithful and Hark the Herald Angels Sing both arranged by Sir David Willcocks.
At the close of the concert Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Clive Butchins offered a vote of thanks to all those who had made the evening possible, and read a short speech from The Food Bank and town mayor Cllr Sandra Parnell.
The next orchestral concert featuring Elstree Mozart Player is on Saturday 1st April 2023 and will be performing Handel’s Messiah from Scratch, see below poster for more details.
Elstree Mozart Players is on Saturday 10th December, performing a seasonal concert of Yuletide classics, plus a solo performance of Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra by Edwin Gatward.
The concert will commence at 7.30pm and is being held at Allum Hall and Manor and is in aid of the Mayor of the town’s chosen charity, Borehamwood Foodbank.=.
Tickets are £15.00, with £12.00 Concessions at the door, though bought in advance are £10.00 per head, and are available via the below link:
