Elijah - The Event of the Year!

Following on from rapturous applause, one could only hear words of praise for the Central Newcastle High School Choral Society at the end of their incredible performance of Elijah on Saturday.  In fact many were hailing it ‘the event of the year' which from a calendar as packed as ours is great praise indeed.

There were some who had wondered whether Mr Gooding's ambition had maybe got the better of him as the Choral Society began rehearsals every Thursday evening on Mendelssohn's Elijah.  Elijah is somewhat challenging for even the most experienced choral singers.  Nevertheless with his constant support, encouragement and expertise, Mr Gooding moulded the non auditioned group of parents, staff and friends into a professional sounding Choral Society.  Add in the magic ingredients of the Senior School Choir, orchestra and professional soloists and the result .... a night to remember!

The concert took place at the Civic Centre Banqueting Hall in front of an audience of 300 people. With the name of every Lord Mayor of Newcastle since the 1600s inscribed on the walls, the Banqueting Hall is a beautiful venue which just happens to have a purple theme.

The audience was delighted to have the chance to see Soprano Claire McKenna perform as a soloist. Claire is a former Central High girl, who left in 2002 to study Music and Philosophy at the University of Birmingham.  Last year she attained her Masters of Music degree with distinction and graduated with the Worshipful Company of Musicians ‘Silver Medal for Excellence'.  She was joined by James Morgan (Elijah), Austin Gunn, and Heather Jill Burns.  Singing the part of the Youth was Lizzie Browell who is in Year 7.  This was Lizzie's first solo performance and it certainly won't be her last; she sang with great charm and poise.  Larissa Adamson, Katie Doig, Rachel Lewis, Charlotte and Lydia Stoddart, Katie Shepley and Esti Copeland-Harrison impressed us with their faultless Lift Thine Eyes and Holy Holy.

A mix of professionals, teachers and Central High girls made up the orchestra.  Sixth Former Lucy Bloxham led the Violins and the youngest member of the orchestra Julia Lochmuller, who is in Year 7, played flute. These girls are just so talented!

Mr Gooding was conducting and while he admitted to being a little nervous before the concert his anxiety was soon replaced with delight as the choir, orchestra and soloists joined together to perform at the very highest of standards.

Thank you from all of us in the audience to all of you who performed on the evening!