Regal music for spring at Saint Mary-in-the-Castle

Following their huge success with Handel’s ‘Messiah’, which packed Christ Church in November, Hastings Philharmonic Choir returns to St. Mary-in-the-Castle on Saturday 17 March with a delightful programme of works by Haydn and Mozart, beginning with Haydn’s magnificent late ‘Te Deum’ a hymn of praise, Te Deum laudamus, being “Thee, O God, we praise”.

This will be followed by Mozart’s ever-popular Symphony no. 36, known as the ‘Linz’, played by accomplished musicians led by Clare Thompson from the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Fittingly in this Jubilee year, Mozart’s sparkling and triumphant ‘Coronation’ Mass makes up the second half of the concert, when the choir and orchestra will be joined by four prize-winning soloists. Three of these are members of the Royal Academy of Music’s prestigious Song Circle including Katie Bray, the exceptional young mezzo-soprano who has previously delighted audiences in Hastings and who will make her debut with Glyndebourne Opera next summer.

Maestro Hilary Davan Wetton, one of Britain’s most versatile and dynamic conductors, has a real commitment to young people, evidenced by his ongoing association with the National Children’s Orchestra, and his earlier roles at director of music at St Paul’s Girls’ School and Tonbridge School. As Principal Conductor of the Classical Roadshow, he has premiered many new works for professional orchestra and young audience – most recently with the RPO at the Cadogan Hall in Richard Brown’s Dreamtime Tales. Hilary has conducted and toured Europe with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and conducted the Edinburgh International Youth Orchestra for the 2002 Festival. He was founder conductor of the Scottish Schools’ Orchestra from 1984 to 1995.

By offering tickets for the Hastings Philharmonic concerts at £3 for young people up to 16 years of age, Hilary hopes to introduce a new Hastings generation to the joy of classical music. Hastings is indeed lucky to have such an august musical talent to guide the classical music scene in our town.

Tickets online or at box office telephone 01424 552119

Read more about Hilary Davan Wetton

Visit the Hastings Philharmonic website

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