On Palm Sunday, 10th April 2022, three of our senior musicians had the opportunity to perform in a semi-professional Sinfonia Orchestra accompanying the Fermanagh Choral Society in St Michael’s Church, Enniskillen in a concert entitled ‘A Requiem for All’. James Bloomfield (Timpani), Poppy Clarke (Flute) and Luke Paton (Clarinet) played alongside a number of professional musicians from the EA Music Service and also orchestral players, including from the Ulster Orchestra. David Robertson, who is a Vocal tutor in ERGS is the Musical Director of the Choral Society and Soprano soloist on the evening was Lauren Kells.
‘A Requiem for All’ included nine movements taken from a number of full works encompassing a broad range of musical periods and styles. The evening opened with Mozart’s ‘Introit & Kyrie’ from his Requiem Mass and as the programme progressed both Baroque Music (Bach) and Romantic music (Faure) were included. A number of contemporary pieces were also included with some of the highlights being the evocative and dramatic ‘Benedictus’ from Karl Jenkins’ ‘A Mass for Peace’and John Rutter’s ‘Lux Aeterna’. The Choral Society also sang a beautiful rendition of ‘A Ukrainian Prayer’ which has recently been composed by John Rutter for use freely by all choirs.
There was a large audience in attendance who gave a standing ovation at the end of the concert before a rousing and powerful encore of ‘An Easter Hymn’ from Mascagni’s Opera ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’. It was indeed delightful to have a live performance from the Choral Society & Sinfonia for their Easter concert. We are grateful for the opportunity afforded to James, Poppy and Luke and we certainly hope that music-making will be fully reintegrated into our school community in the coming academic year.
