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
