The highly anticipated Autumn Gala Concert 2025, presented by the Elstree Mozart Players in proud partnership with The Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood, promises an evening of musical splendour and community spirit.
Under Derek Holland’s baton with Lucy Cumming as concert leader, this gala showcases two distinguished conductors:
Derek Holland and guest conductor Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, renowned in the British classical music world.
The concert also presents an exceptional vocal appearance by soprano Janice Watson, joined in the celebrated Flower Duet with Elizabeth Venner.
Programme Highlights • The Land of the Mountain and the Flood – Hamish MacCunn • Trumpet Concerto – Malcolm Arnold (soloist Dylan Lehner) • Serenade for Orchestra – William Matthias • Prelude for Orchestra – Arwel Hughes • Arias with Janice Watson • Flower Duet – Bizet (Janice Watson & Elizabeth Venner) • Cello Concerto – Antonín Dvořák (soloist Edwin Gatward) • Aces High – Ron Goodwin
The programme balances stirring orchestral works with featured solo performances and vocal gems, capturing both tradition and dynamism.
Supporting a Cause This concert also supports two crucial charities: Breast Cancer NOW and Prostate Cancer UK, aligning cultural celebration with charitable giving.
A partnership between the Elstree Mozart Players and The Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood reflects the clubs’ long‑standing support for community arts initiatives
This Autumn Gala is perfectly timed for local audiences seeking exemplary orchestral music in an intimate, elegant setting. With distinguished artists, beloved repertoire and charitable purpose, it promises to be a memorable highlight of the autumn cultural calendar.
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.
Mark your calendars forthe next Elstree Mozart Players “Gilbert & Sullivan “From Scratch” Concert on Saturday 8th February 2025, at All Saints Church, Shenley Road, Borehamwood.
The concert will commence at 7:30 pm, featuring a fantastic line-up of soloists including Elizabeth Venner, Janice Watson, Laurie Marks, David & Susan Smith, Louise Sherlock, Graham Bright, and Victoria Boss. This promises to be an evening filled with charm and melody.
Being a scratch concert, we warmly invite singers to join us. There will be an afternoon rehearsal on the day of the concert, providing a wonderful opportunity for you to take part in this joyous performance.
The concert with raise funds for one of the Mayor of Hertsmere Charities for 2025, namely The Campaign Against Living Miserably, CALM.
For further details or to register your interest as a performer, please contact Derek Holland at derek.holland3@btopenworld.com.
Tickets prices for the concert:
£20.00 for adults, £15.00 concessions
Advance tickets will be available for £12.00 from 2nd January 2025
The Elstree Mozart Players, established in 2018 by local music enthusiasts Derek Holland, Pat Strack, and Andrew Grady, have rapidly become a cornerstone of the town’s cultural scene.
Their passion for classical music and commitment to community engagement has made the orchestra a beloved institution in the area.
The concert will take place on Sunday, 29th September 2024, at 7:30 PM at Allum Hall & Manor, Elstree, offering an enchanting musical experience for residents and visitors alike.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, community, and celebration as we continue to build on Elstree and Borehamwood’s proud tradition of cultural excellence.
This concert marks another milestone in their journey, promising an evening filled with the timeless beauty of classical music, being presented ‘In Partnership’ with The Rotary Club of the Studios of Elstree and Borehamwood.
Under the expert leadership of Lucy Cumming and the baton of Conductor Derek Holland, the evening will display a diverse and engaging program, including both beloved classics and exciting new works. The concert will feature:
Franz von Suppé’s “Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna Overture,” an exuberant and lively piece to open the evening.
Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto, with a soulful performance by Soloist Edwin Gatward.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Marche Slave,” conducted by Guest Conductor Roland Marshall, a dramatic and powerful orchestral work.
Philip White’s “Aubade,” a world premiere commissioned by Derek Holland and the Elstree Mozart Players, displaying the contemporary talent of this esteemed composer.
Jules Massenet’s “Meditation from Thaïs,” featuring a moving solo by Lucy Cumming.
Oscar Böhme’s Trumpet Concerto, with a dynamic performance by Soloist Dylan Lehn.
This carefully curated selection of orchestral masterpieces promises to captivate the audience, highlighting the immense talent and versatility of the Elstree Mozart Players.
Tickets and Further Information:
Tickets for the concert are available from September 1st, 2024, and can be purchased online through the orchestra official ticket source website: www.ticketsource.co.uk/elstree-mozart-players, or via contacting the orchestra directly. Early booking is recommended to secure a seat for what promises to be a sold-out event.
Contact Information:
For press inquiries, interviews, or further details, please contact:
The Elstree Mozart Players, founded in 2018 by Derek Holland in collaboration with Pat Strack and Andrew Grady, aim to bring the richness of classical music to the communities of Elstree and Borehamwood.
Conducted by Derek Holland, the upcoming concert will showcase a diverse repertoire, including compositions by Peter Wilson, Leopold Mozart, Robert Bark, Leroy Anderson, Roderic Elmer, and Cécile Chaminade.
The evening will culminate with a performance of Mozart’s renowned “The Paris Symphony.”
Continuing their tradition, the orchestra will feature talented soloists from within its ranks. Alison Perry will dazzle the audience with her rendition of the Trumpet Concerto in D.
Lucy Cumming, the orchestra’s leader, along with Principal Oboist Barry Solomon, will captivate listeners with their performance of Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin.
Emma Brown, the orchestra’s Principal Flautist, will enchant the audience with Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute and Orchestra.
This concert is a fundraising event for All Saints Church and is part of the Civic Festival organized by Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council.
Tickets for this enchanting concert can be obtained by emailing elstmozartplayers@outlook.com or by contacting Andrew Grady at 0208 953 7363 or Pat Strack at 0208 386 3151.
Elstree Mozart Players led by Lucy Cumming, conducted by Derek Holland will be performing a concert in All Saints Church in Borehamwood on Saturday 24th February 2024.
The concert will feature:
Elisabeth Venner will be joining the orchestra to sing arias by Mozart, and Johann Strauss II.
Peter Bussereau, Violin Soloist, will be performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor.
Other works to be performed include:
Rossini Overture ‘La Scala di Sieta’
Richard Strauss Horn Concerto 1 Soloist Tom Pinnell
Jarnefelt Praeludium
Schubert Symphony II
This concert will raise funds to support Borehamwood Foodbank, providing vital support for those in need in our local community.
Tickets cost £10.00 in advance of £15 or £12 concessions on the door.
Contact Pat Strack on 020 8386 3151
or Andrew Grady on 07802 736628 for further details.
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
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
