An unforgettable evening with the Elstree Mozart Players (EMP), conducted by Derek Holland, and featuring internationally renowned guest conductor Owain Arwel Hughes.
The concert dazzled with a rich and varied programme, from stirring orchestral works to operatic favourites.
A true highlight was the performance by international opera star Janice Watson, who captivated the audience with arias by Bach, Dvořák, Puccini and Delibes.
She was joined by Elizabeth Venner in the beloved Flower Duet from Lakmé and a charming Mozart duet from The Marriage of Figaro.
Dylan Lehner gave a virtuosic performance of Malcolm Arnold’s Trumpet Concerto, and Juliet Maclean shone in a moving cello solo from John Foulds’ Keltic Lament.
The orchestra’s versatility was on full display, from dramatic film scores (Aces High by Ron Goodwin) to lyrical miniatures like The Watermill and La Calinda.
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful audience – together, we raised £450 in support of Prostate Cancer UK and Breast Cancer Now, in association with the Rotary Club of The Studios of Elstree and Borehamwood.
A night of incredible music, international talent, and community spirit.
Thank you to all who joined us!
Our 2026 concert series dates are:
Saturday 14th March 2026 – Spring Concert – All Saints Church, 7.30pm
Featuring:
Mozart – Requiem D minor, K. 626, (Scratch Choral Performance)
Schumann – Symphony 1 (The Spring)
Sunday 28th June 2026– Civic Festival Concert 2026 – All Saints Church, 7.30pm
Featuring:
Crusell – Concerto for clarinet, horn and bassoon
Soloists Stephen Randall, Mary Pilbery and Tim Egan
Beethoven Symphony 3 Eroica
Special guest artist: Adria Jackson
Sunday 27th September 2026 – Autumn Concert 2026
Allum Manor & Hall 7.30pm
Featuring:
Verdi Overture – The Force of Destiny – Guest Conductor Roland Marshall
Hamilton Harty Violin Concerto – Soloist: Dame Geraldine Andrews
Herbert Parry – Three Little Pigs Minuet (recently rediscovered)
Philip White – Natale a Venezia ballet suite (first public performance)
“Where Passion Meets Precision – A Summer Evening of Classical Splendour”
All Saints Church, Borehamwood
Sunday 29th June 2025
At this years Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council’s Civic Festival, the Elstree Mozart Players (EMP), directed by Derek Holland, delivered a vibrant evening of classical music at All Saints Church.
Highlights included Beethoven’s Creatures of Prometheus overture, Barry Solomon’s expressive performance of Vaughan Williams’ Oboe Concerto, and Alison Perry’s standout soprano cornet solo in Demelza. Soprano Elizabeth Venner delighted with Edwardian musical theatre selections, while newcomer Serena Leader impressed with Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso.
The programme also featured Roderick Elmer’s witty Scherzo: The Uistman who couldn’t tell a story and Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony, preceded by a spirited encore of Monti’s Czardas. The concert concluded with favourites Elizabethan Serenade and Vanity Fair, leading to a powerful performance of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3.
A musically rich and heartwarming evening, affirming EMP’s passion, precision, and community spirit.
Photos: Andrew Grady, Clive Butchins & Laurence Wiseman
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.
The Elstree Mozart Players was founded by Derek Holland in partnership with Pat Strack and Andrew Grady in 2018.
The members of the orchestra either professional, semi-professional and very good amateur musicians. The group is formed on a concert-by-concert basis and the intention is to perform regular classical concerts of a high standard in the locality and elsewhere. The group ranges from a chamber orchestra to a full symphony orchestra as it is tonight.
The orchestra was named in honour of the late Harry Blech (1909-1999) who founded the London Mozart Players in 1949. The orchestra will be seated in the traditional manner with the violins to the left and the right of the conductor.
On Sunday September 29th the orchestra performed a concert at Allum Hall, In Elstree supporting ‘Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK’ (SMA UK) the designated charity for this year’s president of The Rotary Club of the Studios of Elstree and Borehamwood, Sam Covill.
During the year the club has supported many different concerts, and this annual concert is run in conjunction with the club to help support each incoming president.
The Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Richard Butler nd his consort, plus the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, Cllr Alpha Collins, and is wife Rev. Louise Collins were alo in attendance for this concert.
The concert interbval raffle, organised by the Rotary Club members raised over £300.00 for SMA UK.
It was once more a well-balanced programme from the Elstree Mozart Players (EMP) and Derek Holland. Two Concertos and a ‘Meditation’ to show off the soloists; good old ‘war-horses’ to begin and end proceedings and a newly commissioned work. Not forgetting a guest conductor and oh yes, yours truly asked to play the Tam-tam in Marche Slave. Whatever were they thinking?
To begin with, a favourite of mine, Franz von Suppe’s Overture – Morning Noon & Night in Vienna. Plenty of good tunes and rousing motifs to get the foot tapping and not forgetting a beautiful solo opening, that gave the principal Cellist – Juliet Maclean – a chance to shine. A perfect way to start a concert and demonstrate the confident, ensemble playing of this talented group of musicians.
This was followed by Edward Elgar’s Autumnal Cello Concerto, a work written just after World War 1. It plumbs the depths of human emotions and requires great sensitivity. The soloist was one of EMP’s own, a young man with amazing technique and musicality – Edwin Gatward. At only 20 years old he is a polished and complete musician with a reputation for playing what the composer indicates. There was no ego, or histrionics, getting in the way of this performance, you got Elgar all the way. The accompaniment from Derek and EMP complimented Edwin’s wonderful playing. The applause was loud, appreciative and well deserved as the final note faded away, even shouts of Bravo! Bravo indeed Edwin! Here is a realisation of promising talent now being fulfilled.
Next, Derek handed the baton over to one of his oldest friends – Roland Marshall. He is a tuba player with many years of experience and has been a regular player with EMP. This was his first opportunity to conduct, and he’d chosen Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave. I was at the rehearsal, when it was decided they were short of a percussionist to hit the tam-tam. I reluctantly agreed to help out! So, during the concert I went from the auditorium to the back of the orchestra where I waited for my moment to bash a piece of metal. Quite surreal, but very exciting as like Roland, this was my first time. I think he did a wonderful job, as for me, I couldn’t possibly comment! The audience enjoyed it and applauded heartily for our conducting debutant.
After the interval, EMP played the newly commissioned work by Phillip White – Aubade, An English Pastoral. A picture painting in sound of morning and the awakening of the day, a work of great poise and beauty. Considering that the orchestra had rehearsed this piece together only hours earlier, their performance was staggeringly complete and rounded. At the end the audience applauded warmly, and the Composer was on hand to take a bow.
The next work was Jules Massenet’s Ethereal Meditation from the opera Thais. Lucy Cumming the leader of the orchestra, who most of the time is happy to let others take the limelight, deservedly took the honours of the solo violin part in this gorgeous piece. Six minutes of pure magic, applauded warmly at the end.
Time for yet another concerto. I had never heard of Oscar Bohme, but he was born in Germany in 1870 and ended his life in Russia at the hands of the Stalinist regime in 1938. He composed many works for trumpet in the intervening time. His Concerto in F minor had a romantic and very 19th Century feel to it, yet virtuosic and flashy as well as good melodies. The Orchestra’s young principal Trumpeter, Dylan Lehner played brilliantly, showing off his technique and flare. He had chosen this work and proceeded to give a flawless performance to rapturous applause at the end. Bravo Dylan!
To finish, another rousing piece to get the blood pumping, Saint Saens raucous Bacchanale from his opera Samsom & Delilah. The orchestra displayed all the virtuosity that this work requires, bringing the concert to a loud and exciting conclusion. Well, done to all, a brilliant evening’s entertainment and loudly appreciated by the audience.
We’ll have to wait until 2025 for the next one, so put Saturday 8th February 2025 in your diaries everyone!
Graham Wilson (Freelance Reviewer for EMP)
Photos by coutesy of Cllr. Alpha Collins, Clive Butchins, Laurance Wiseman & Andrew Grady.
Elstree Mozart Players, founded in 2018 by Derek Holland in collaboration with Pat Strack and Andrew Grady, with an aim to bring the richness of classical music to the communities of Elstree and Borehamwood held its latest concert on Sunday 23rd June 2024 at ‘All Saints’ Church in Borehamwood.
The orchestra’s president Cllr John Graham wselcomed the gathered audience to the concert, which was attended by both Mayors of Elstree and Borehamwood, Cllr Alpha Collins and Hertsmere, Cllr. Richard Butler which formed the opening musical event for this year’s Civic Festival in Elstree and Borehamwood.
Cllr John Graham (left), Cllr Richrd Butler, (centre), and Cllr Alpha Collins with Andrew Grady (right)
This was another concert with something for everyone from Derek Holland and the Elstree Mozart Players.
Proceedings began with a Concert March by the orchestra’s resident composer, Peter Wilson. A charming little piece in the light classical vain, designed to get the toes tapping and hearts pumping.
Then a short Trumpet concerto by Leopold Mozart, the less talented father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was played on an old D trumpet by orchestra member Alison Perry. Quite an instrument to play, as it is very taxing on the players lips, but Alison sailed through, with very good accompaniment from the orchestra.
Next the leader of the orchestra, Lucy Cumming and principal oboist, Barry Solomon played one of Bach’s wonderful concertos, the D minor for Oboe and Violin. It was played brilliantly by both soloists and with excellent orchestral accompaniment, it left the audience asking for more.
To follow, Peter Wilson excelled as pianist in Robert Docker’s Legend for Piano & Orchestra. It is a wonderful piece of light music that should be heard more regularly. Docker was a first-class composer of light classical music and Derek Holland and his players will never shy away from promoting these little gems.
Bringing the concert to the interval was a delightful piece by the composer Cecile Chaminade, her Concertino for Flute and Orchestra. Played flawlessly by the principal Flautist – Emma Brown. Once more the audience were wowed by the brilliant playing of soloist and orchestra.
To begin the second half, Elstree Mozart Players played a work by another local composer, Roderick Elmer – his Variations on the Hymn tune Harwich. He wrote it 10 years ago and it had not been played since. It had a demanding pattern of ever-increasing difficulty with each variation, yet the orchestra held it together for this unfamiliar piece, on just that one rehearsal. Remarkable.
To end the concert, they played Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No.31 ‘The Paris’. A big symphony and a big performance. No hesitation on the tempo for both the first movement and finale. Derek Holland always observes the composer’s tempi markings. What a rousing finish to the concert. Fantastic!
The orchestra would like to thank members of The Rotary Club of the Studios of Elstree and Borehamwood along with Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council for providing stewards for this concert.
Photos taken by Laurance Wiseman, Clive Butchins, Cllr Alpha Collins, & Andrew Grady
Review prepared by Graham Wilson
The next concert by Elstree Mozart Players is on Sunday 29th September 2024, 7.30pm at Allum Hall & Manor Elstree, featuring
Suppe – Morning Noon and Night in Vienna Overture
Elgar cello concerto – Soloist: Edwin Gatward
Tchaikovsky – Marche Slave (Guest Conductor Roland Marshall)
Philip White – Aubade (world premiere) Commissioned by Derek Holland and EMP
Massenet -Meditation from Thais – Soloist Lucy Cumming
Oscar Bohme – Trumpet Concerto – Soloist Dylan Lehner
Saint Saens – Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah.
Tickets £10 in advance (available from 1st September 2024)
Another jam backed concert from the Elstree Mozart Players and their conductor Derek Holland; overture, short piece, concertos, arias and a Symphony, something for every listener and some wonderful music making.
Elstree Mozart Players President Cllr. John Graham welcomed concert goers to the evening’s proceedings, introducing current Hertsmere Mayor Cllr. Chis Myers and his consort, plus Cllr. Farida Turner, representing the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood.
Cllr Myers, in his welcome speech spoke highly of the orchestra’s beginnings complementing Derek Holland, Andrew Grady and Pat Strack for setting up the orchestra, which raises funds for needy charitable causes.
The concert on Saturday 24th February 2024 was set out to raise funds for the Borehamwood Foodbank, and raised nearly £200.00 for this worthwhile cause.
The concert began with Rossini’s Silken Ladder Overture. The playing and tempi were spot on, with the slower passages – smooth and silky, the fast music – sparkling and energetic. There must be special praise for the oboes who had some very virtuosic passages to negotiate, they played with aplomb. A thoroughly excellent start to proceedings.
Then a short piece by the Finnish composer, Järnefelt – Praeludium. Derek and EMP played like they knew it intimately, indeed for me it was like being reacquainted with an old friend, a piece I’d known years ago but not heard for decades, many decades! I glorious little gem to fill a Christmas stocking, or as an early Easter present, delightful.
Elizabeth Venner
More delight was to follow when out of the viola section stepped Elizabeth Venner, to sing “Batti Batti” from Mozart’s Opera – Don Giovanni. From supporting the orchestra instrumentally to singing out front, Elizabeth gave us a matchless performance of this exceptional aria. Clean intonation, coupled with a beautiful tone and expressive both musically and facially, she lived the part. The rousing applause at the end said it all, brilliant!
To end the first half, the accomplished violinist Peter Bussereau, who has performed with EMP previously, gave us a thoughtful and rousing rendering of Mendelssohn’s evergreen Violin Concerto in E minor.
Peter Bussereau
His playing was virtuosic in the quick passages, flowing and melodious in the slow ones. The slow movement being the highlight, Peter’s playing caressed the air and floated through the ether, ably accompaniment by EMP throughout. The Finale sped along with a virtuosic buzz and clean internation, a brilliant performance that had the audience applauding loudly. Bravo!
After the interval we were treated to another concerto, Richard Strauss’s virtuosic Horn concerto No.1 and it was another of the orchestra’s regular players – Tom Pinnell – who stepped forward for this.
Tom Pinnell
He had told me previously that Strauss was one of his favourite composers, so this was going to be an important challenge for him. He rose to that challenge, powering through all the difficulties.
The horn is the most difficult of the brass instruments to master and hornist battle with the beast. Tom conquered the beast, his playing technically brilliant in the virtuosic sections, whilst silky-smooth in the slow ones.
The finale was a great romp and well accompanied by EMP and Derek Holland to the final note. The audience gave this talented young player the applause he deserved. Well done, Tom.
Next, Elizabeth Venner sung yet another aria, Adele’s Laughing song from Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus. Again, the diction was flawless, the delivery perfect and surely there is an actor deep within her bones.
The audience was ecstatic with their applause, what a soprano voice and a find for the orchestra. Bravo Elizabeth.
Elizabether Venner
Elstree Mozart Players
The final work of the evening was an early symphony by Schubert, No.2 in B flat. Derek made the point before they started, that this was written by a young man barely 18 at the time.
The music was remarkable for such a young composer and Derek with EMP produced a stunning performance.
The stately Largo opening led to an allegro vivace which with Derek is always an Allegro, no pulling back on that.
The string players had plenty of busy, scurrying passages to play, which didn’t get any easier in the later movements especially the Finale. The slow movement – Andante was a lovely interlude between the more strident First and Scherzo movements, allowing the woodwind players to really come to the fore.
The scherzo, more of an old fashioned menuetto was like an angry wasp, while the Finale bounced along, full of life.
Did I detect the ghost of Harry Blech, the late conductor of the London Mozart Players, hovering and smiling over proceedings?
Well may be, but one thing is for sure, the audience loved the resulting performance and gave Derek and EMP loud applause, even before the final cadences had ceased. Fantastic!
Cllr . Farida Turner
At the close of the concert Cllr. Farida Turner offered a vote of thanks to all the participants of the concert, and organisers plus helpers who had made the concert such a pleasure.
With Cllr. Myers, they presented small gifts of thanks to the three soloists for the evening, Violinist Peter Bussereau, Soprano Elizabeth Venner, and Horn Soloist Tom Pinnell.
The next concert featuring Elstree Mozart Players is on Sunday 23 June 2024, 7.30pm at All Saints Church, Borehamwood, and features:
Peter Wilson Guard of Honour March
Chaminade Concertino for flute and orchestra (soloist Emma Brown)
Leopold Mozart Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra (soloist Alison Perry)
Robert Docker Legend for piano and orchestra (soloist Peter Wilson)
Bach concerto for Violin, Oboe, and orchestra (soloists Lucy Cumming and Barry Solomon)
Roderick Elmer Harwich Variations
Leroy Anderson Forgotten Dreams
Mozart Symphony 31 (The Paris)
Tickets cost £10 in advance and are £15.00 on the door with £12.00 Concessions, and will be available from the 1st of May 2024
Contact Pat Strack on 020 8386 3151 or Andrew Grady on 07802 736628 for further details.
Email elstreemozartplayers@outlook.com
Web Site: www.elstreemozartplayers.org.uk
Tickets will also be available from the Ticket Source Web Site
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 Borough 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.
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
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
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.
