Shrewsbury Musicians deliver outstanding performances at the 37th annual Didsbury Concert

The musicians of Shrewsbury School were up bright and early to travel to Didsbury for the most recent annual coffee concert held in St. James and Emmanuel Church.  

The concert featured a number of ensembles as well as solo performances. Hazel C (MSH, IV), Joanna C (QEH, V) and Chit S (R, IV) opened the concert with Fruhling’s Clarinet Trio in A minor. Other Shrewsbury School ensembles included the Chopin Trio, Bruch Trio, Elfrida Andrée Piano Quintet, and the String Quartet, who played Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in E minor.  

The Wind Quintet, made up of Ranen C (I, V), Richard P (SH, V), Benedict F (O, V), Shawn L (S, V) and Bob L (S, LVI), ended the concert with their fantastic performance of Jim Parker’s ‘Mississippi Five’.   

Other highlights included solo performances from Kai Y (I, LVI) and Joanna C on piano. Toby H (Ch, LVI), the only vocalist in the concert, showcased a diverse programme of ‘Dolente Imagine’ by Bellini, and ‘Far from Home’ from Fiddler on the Roof. Lydia C (QEH, IV) captivated the audience with Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, while Chit S showcased great lyricism on the cello in his performance of Schumann’s Fantasiestücke. Hazel C closed the first half with her dazzling performance of themes from Verdi’s La Traviata arranged by Lovreglio.   

Lydia C: “I loved performing in front of such a supportive audience and playing in ensembles with my friends.” 

The Didsbury coffee concert series always attracts a large and knowledgeable audience, which our musicians undoubtedly impressed. All in all, a fabulous day out for the Shrewsbury School musicians.  

Almaz Razif  

Graduate Music Fellow