Enfield Chamber Orchestra by Sally Isaacs
31st May 2016
Enfield Chamber Orchestra grew out of the well-known Enfield String Players, and continues a lively tradition of over 70 years of bringing music to the London Borough of Enfield. Members of the orchestra include music teachers, students, retired professionals and charity workers and all bring a wide range of skills and enthusiasm to the group.
Their conductor, Martin Smith, has made a huge impact on the playing style of the ensemble, with a varied and interesting repertoire that has kept players on their toes and audiences enraptured. Their leader is Sarah Colley, a local violin teacher and professional musician.
It is not unusual for members of the orchestra to play prominent solo parts, and in the past few years the group has been delighted to provide the opportunity for some of the younger members to play solo concertos with the orchestra - all good experience for them before they go on to music college and, in some cases, a professional music career.
Their last concert, in March, included Beethoven’s 3rd piano concerto with YaYi Tian, who is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music, as the spirited young soloist. The ensemble has introduced many new works to the public, including a number of compositions by local composer Frank Bayford who is Patron of the Orchestra. Additionally Enfield Chamber Orchestra has enjoyed having had the opportunity to work closely with the International Children’s Voices of Enfield for their Christmas concerts.
The next opportunity to hear this excellent local group will be on 18th June at 7.30 pm at Enfield Baptist Church (Cecil Road, Enfield, EN2 6TG) when their concert, entitled “Summer Celebration” includes Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Wind in E flat, K 297b. This popular work features the young soloists Rebecca Whitehouse (oboe), James Gilbert (clarinet), Daria Phillips (bassoon) and Jordan Wilson (French horn). All of them are either students or former students of Latymer School in Edmonton; Rebecca is currently on a gap year before starting at the Royal College of Music, and James is going to the Royal Academy of Music in September. They are also all members of the Enfield Young Symphony Orchestra.
Enfield Chamber Orchestra values its association with so many young people but realises that they move on, and there are always places for new players in the strings and some of the wind sections. If you want an incentive to pick up your instrument again after leaving it languishing in a corner, or want to join a local orchestra after leaving University or college, why not get in touch with the Enfield Chamber Orchestra?
They would love to hear from you! They rehearse on Monday evenings in Oakwood and you can find out more from their website at www.enfieldchamberorch.org.uk, or by calling the secretary on 020 8360 4980.
As fetured in our May 2016 Palmers Green and Southgate Life magazine
