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2009 SEASON ROUND-UP Being the year between our main Festivals, it was quieter than usual but we continued our policy of promoting one-off concerts in order to maintain the momentum of the Festival’s work. On Friday 15th May, we brought Thomas “Spats” Langham and his Hot Combination back to Hinton St. George with their own unique style of 20s and 30s music. This time, in a departure from tradition, we held the concert in St. George’s Hall, which was set up for the occasion in a classic New Orleans “speakeasy” style, with a running bar and many people in period dress. A sell-out audience enjoyed a great evening and we are sure that Tom and the gang will be back again. The Festival Committee has made encouraging the development of music among young people in the area one of its main aims and Saturday 24th October marked the visit to Hinton St. George of Circle of Fifths, a young and talented wind quintet. In another innovation for the Festival, we were delighted to be able to offer a Workshop for local school pupils in Wadham School with the Group. None of us who were present at the Workshop will forget the way in which Katie Bennington and her colleagues broke down the inhibitions of a group of teenagers, finishing up with an impromptu musical “event” when the participants gave a performance based on their interpretation of a report and picture cut from a newspaper. Sincere thanks are due to Woodland and Garden Tree Services, Wessex Water and Mike’s Music for their generous sponsorship of the event, which we hope to be able to repeat in the future. In the evening following the Workshop, Circle of Fifths gave a memorable concert in St. George’s Church and their youthful enthusiasm and evident talent sent the large audience away with a smile on its collective face. Most of the limited repertoire for a wind quintet is unfamiliar to the majority of people but the fun of Jacques Ibert’s Trois Pieces Breves which opened the concert and the lyrical spell worked by Nielsen’s Wind Quintet Op. 43 to end the main performance overcame any lack of familiarity. As an encore, Gershwin’s I got Rhythm had everyone’s feet tapping and was a fitting way to end a great evening. We wish all the members of Circle of Fifths every success in developing their careers. The programme for 2010 is firmly established and the committee is looking forward to another successful Festival week. Make a note in your diary – 8-13th June 2010!
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