College Hall to ring out with the sounds of Baroque

Saturday 12 December 2015

It’s an historic setting for some very old music and a debut performance tomorrow night.

The Great Hall at Victoria College will ring out with the sounds of Baroque and a special performance of The Vivaldi Gloria sung by Victoria College’s Choral Society.

High profile baton John Bowley MA, ARCM - a scholar of King’s College Cambridgeshire and now Director of Music at Repton School is in the Island to conduct the evening.

The evening will bring together a number of accomplished musicians to create a Christmas showcase of talent.

Director of Vocal Music Stephanie Humphries said: “John is a well-respected musician and learned academic. With a wealth of experience, passion and knowledge, he will be sure to educate and inspire us all during the final rehearsals to create a wonderful concert.

“It is terrific that we can bring a musician of John’s calibre to the Island.”

The famous conductor who has performed all over the world will be joined by Old Victorians - Elliot Samphier, who was the winner of the Young Musician of the Year in 2013 and Finlay Hare, who are both in their third year at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Also performing will be soloists Ana Vandepeer on violin who has just performed her first concert with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra; mezzo-soprano Georgia Mae Bishop, who made her debut performance at the Royal Festival Hall with ‘Ustvolskaya Symphony No.4’ as contralto soloist; and soprano Gabriella Cassidy who is studying with Dennis O’Neill CBE.

Director of Music Peter Davis said: “We hope this will be the first of many collaborative Choral Society Events that will see us bringing over different musical experts to inspire our students as well as the wider community.

“The project opens up the musical heart of the College, allowing the Great Hall to bring together parents and sons, teachers and students, OVs and professional musicians for the enjoyment of all music lovers at this special time of year.”

You can get tickets on the door on Sunday night. They cost £10 for adults and £4 for children and include a little Christmas tipple - post-concert mulled wine and canapés.