Downe House choralists' moving Prayer for Ukraine opens Christian Aid fundraiser

The Downe House Music showcase concert, on Saturday, March 6, at St John’s Church, Newbury, raised more than £2,000 for Christian Aid.

“It was an incredibly special concert on Sunday with performances from the girls that truly moved and inspired others. From the electrifying performance of Symphony Orchestra to the poignancy of members of Prima Voce singing A Prayer for Ukraine, the power of music was palpable. We are incredibly proud of our exceptional musicians, who brought something truly special and enjoyed every minute of it,” said Downe House director of music Charlotte Exon.

Perhaps not surprisingly, emotions were at the fore during this concert given by pupils and staff of the music department to a capacity audience at St John’s Church, Newbury. It was certainly a celebratory event which acknowledged the joy of being able to perform once again to a live audience after the restrictions of Covid. Sadly, but significantly, it also honoured the memory of the Rev Canon Trevor Maines, well-loved former chairman of the Newbury Christian Aid committee, who was instrumental in organising this event prior to his death in 2021.

The church welcomed back the music department under the Dr Exon and a varied programme of music, from liturgical to secular items both orchestral and choral, delighted the audience.

Before the main concert began, and to acknowledge events of the past weeks, A Prayer for Ukraine was sung by the school’s choristers, with a resultant hush in the church as they performed the piece beautifully in its original Ukranian, asking God’s blessing on the Ukraine. Originally written for a children’s chorus, the words echoed around the St John’s acoustic with great impact. Only then, after a hush of contemplation, did the concert begin.

Opening with items from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite, arranged by Richard Mayer, Morning Mood started quietly before rising to a climax of sound; In the Hall of the Mountain King was suitably threatening, as more instruments contributed to the majestic conclusion. The Symphony Orchestra then created considerable changes of mood as they played selections from Les Misérables, each of the items with different emotional emphasis as the story unfolded. A few tear-jerkers there.

Although the young organist playing Bach’s Praeludium et Fuge in E BWV 533 could be seen only by those with a view of the organ loft, it was good to hear her management of the instrument as she played this challenging piece. With her recent offer of an Organ Scholarship at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and with several other musical interests including fusion jazz, the future looks exciting for her.

The Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Debussy’s Réverie brought a soothing mood to the church, and this was well-delivered by the instrumentalists to contrast with some of the more energetic items already heard, which led into the vocal section of the concert.

In Harmony performed Shoshone Love Song, with its traditional native American lyrics, followed by Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song – both items featured delicate singing and sweetness of tone from young voices.

Flight Song, the first item from Prima Voce, featured lovely blending and skilful part-singing, differing tunes challenging each other, with good top notes and crescendos. What followed – the traditional spiritual Joshua - demonstrated more excellent part-singing, good diction, growing excitement, with percussion adding to the drama. An encore of the final section brought forth roars of appreciation from the audience. How the choir loved singing this rousing piece.

Concluding the concert, the upper sixth students from Prima Voce, joined by male members of staff, gave a poignant performance of Stephen Paulus’ The Road Home which seemed to draw together some of the many emotions of the evening.

Thanks were expressed to all those taking part and to those who worked so hard to ensure the smooth-running of the event. Susan Norman's accompaniment to a wide variety of items displayed her own skills – supportive and never showy.

At the time of going to press, more than £2,000 had been raised for Christian Aid – a stunning result capable of achieving so much for those in devastating circumstances in the world.

CG