Author: admin

Posted on

Civic Festival Concert 2025

This summer, the Elstree and Borehamwood Civic Festival proudly presents the Civic Festival Concert 2025 — a captivating evening of orchestral music performed by the highly regarded Elstree Mozart Players. Set in the enchanting surroundings of All Saints Church, Borehamwood, this concert promises an inspiring programme featuring both timeless classics and contemporary gems.

Founded in 2018 by conductor Derek Holland, in partnership with Pat Strack and Andrew Grady, the Elstree Mozart Players have quickly established themselves as a vital part of the region’s cultural life. Unlike traditional orchestras, the orchestra is assembled on a concert-by-concert basis, blending professional musicians, semi-professionals, and skilled amateurs to achieve a professional standard of performance with a warm community spirit.

Their mission is to make orchestral music accessible and engaging for local audiences, while fostering emerging talent and performing an adventurous repertoire that balances beloved classics with contemporary compositions.

Concert Highlights

This concert programme, conducted by Derek Holland and led by Lucy Cumming, offers a varied and rich selection of works, including:
Beethoven’s Prometheus Overture — an exhilarating opening that captures the drama of mythic heroism.

Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, featuring virtuoso violinist Serena Leader.

Vaughan Williams’ Oboe Concerto, performed by the accomplished oboist Barry Solomon, offering a serene English pastoral tone.

A new-age highlight, Roderick Elmer’s Scherzo for Orchestra, injecting playful energy and contemporary flair.

The charming Demelza for Soprano Cornet by Hugo Nash, with soloist Alison Perry showcasing rare cornet repertoire.

A selection of Songs from Light Opera, delivered by soprano Elizabeth Venner.
Light music classics such as Ronald Binge’s Elizabethan Serenade and Anthony Collins’ Vanity Fair.

The evening culminates with Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 “The Scottish”, a sweeping symphonic portrait of Scotland’s rugged beauty.

Ticket and Venue Details:

Tickets are affordably priced at £12 in advance, with on-the-night prices of £20 for premium seating and £15 for standard.

They will be available from 1st June via Ticket Source at www.ticketsource.co.uk/elstree-mozart-players.

The concert takes place at All Saints Church, renowned for its excellent acoustics and welcoming atmosphere. Situated in the heart of Borehamwood, the church is accessible to all and provides a beautiful backdrop to this cultural highlight.

It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live music of the highest calibre, support a dynamic local orchestra, and engage with the cultural heartbeat of Elstree and Borehamwood.

So mark your calendar for Sunday, 29th June, and prepare to be transported by an evening of thrilling music and heartfelt community celebration.

See Video Pod Cast promoting this concert

Posted on

An Evening with Janice Watson

Sunday, May 11th 2025 7:30 PM

All Saints Church, Borehamwood

Prepare for a night of exquisite music and heartfelt purpose as world-renowned soprano Janice Watson takes the stage, joined by a talented ensemble of friends — Derek Holland, and the brilliant Barry Solomon Trio.

Janice Watson is celebrated as one of the world’s leading sopranos, known for her radiant voice and captivating stage presence. Originally a flautist, she was encouraged to pursue singing by the acclaimed tenor Philip Langridge. Her studies took her from the Guildhall School of Music under Johanna Peters, to work with legendary soprano Renata Scotto, and later to the Ravel Institute in France. Her early career soared after winning both the Kathleen Ferrier Award and the Royal Overseas League Competition at just 23.

Since then, Janice has graced the stages of the world’s most prestigious opera houses — from Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera New York to La Scala Milan, Vienna, Tokyo, and Sydney — and continues to inspire audiences with her remarkable talent.
This special evening is not only a celebration of musical excellence but also a heartfelt fundraiser in support of SMA UK, the chosen charity of this year’s Rotary Club President, Sam Covill.

SMA UK works tirelessly to support individuals and families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and to fund vital research and raise awareness.

Ticket Information:
• £12 in advance
• £15 on the door for concessions
• £20 on the door (standard)

Book online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/elstree-mozart-players

Contact Pat Strack: pat.strack@icloud.com or Andrew Grady: 07802 736628 or Email: elstreemozartplayers@outlook.com

Every ticket purchased supports SMA UK’s mission to improve lives and drive forward critical research.

Posted on

Review of the Scratch Gilbert & Sullivan Concert by Elstree Mozart Players

Saturday, 8th February 2025, All Saints Church Borehamwood

Elstree Mozart Players delighted an enthusiastic audience with a joyous celebration of Gilbert and Sullivan’s enduring legacy at their Scratch Concert on Saturday, 8th February.

The concert was attended by both The Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood, Cllr Alpha Collins, and the Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Richard Butler, with both Mayors being accompanied by their consorts.

The program, a carefully curated selection from twelve of the duo’s comic operas, showcased the wit of W.S. Gilbert’s lyrics and the brilliance of Arthur Sullivan’s compositions.

The evening commenced with the stirring Overture from The Yeomen of the Guard, setting the stage for a lively and engaging performance. The concert then moved through a series of solos, duets, and ensemble numbers that demonstrated the range and vitality of Gilbert and Sullivan’s works.


Highlights included Graham Bright’s spirited rendition of “When I was a lad” from HMS Pinafore, Laurie Marks’ charismatic take on “My name is John Wellington Wells” from The Sorcerer, and the ever popular “Three Little Maids From School” from The Mikado, performed with charm and precision by Elizabeth Venner, Janice Watson, and Louise Sherlock.


Janice Watson was a standout of the evening, bringing both vocal excellence and theatrical flair to her performances. Her ability to balance comedic timing with musical precision was particularly evident in The Mikado and her other ensemble pieces, earning her warm applause from the audience.

The second half maintained the high energy, featuring the rousing “Loudly let the trumpet bray” from Iolanthe and the moving “None shall part us” from Iolanthe, performed exquisitely by Elizabeth Venner and Laurie Marks.

The evening concluded triumphantly with a full ensemble performance of the Finale from HMS Pinafore, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained.

Under the baton of Derek Holland, the orchestra provided impeccable accompaniment, ensuring that both seasoned G&S enthusiasts and newcomers alike experienced the full charm of these beloved operas.

Laurie Marks’ direction and Louise Sherlock’s choral leadership added to the evening’s success, with both seasoned performers and first-time G&S singers contributing to a memorable event.

This concert reaffirmed the timeless appeal of Gilbert and Sullivan and showcased the impressive talents of the Elstree Mozart Players and their guests. With such a rapturous response, future G&S concerts will surely be highly anticipated.

Gratitude must also be extended to those who made this wonderful evening possible: Cllr John Graham, President of the orchestra, along with Rotarians Sasha Capocci and Cllr Sandra Parnell, Karren Fielding ans Imine Mason.

Special thanks also go to Pat Strack plus Andrew & Erika Grady, who worked tirelessly to prepare, promote, and assist throughout.

Additional thanks must go to Pam Kubica, the Church Warden of All Saints Church for allowing the orchestra to use the church for this concert.

The concert successfully raised funds for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), one of the two charities supported by Cllr Richard Butler, Mayor of Hertsmere.