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Just what the doctor ordered




Newbury Choral Society joins up with London Medical Orchestra for tonight's (Saturday) concert

Newbury Choral Society is always on the lookout for opportunities to collaborate with other musicians, locally and farther afield.

On Saturday, at St Nicolas' Church, Newbury, they take to the stage with the London Medical Orchestra for the first time. This group has the same ethos as the choir: a friendly and inclusive group of mainly amateur players with a professional attitude to their music.

Formed in 1954 by refugee doctors and dentists from central Europe to raise funds, the orchestra's past vice presidents include Jacqueline du Pré and Sir Adrian Boult. Today's LMO has between 40 and 50 members of all ages and includes students, teachers, lawyers, artists and doctors, with professional leads in all string sections.

The orchestra continues to raise money for medically-related charities, often supporting those with a personal or professional connection to a member of the orchestra, among them the Prostate Cancer Charity, Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture.

Horn player Julie Rooke said: “This is an exciting year for LMO. Our previous musical director retired last summer after 20 years, and we are excited to be playing under the baton of Cathal Garvey, particularly as it's given us this opportunity to play with Newbury Choral Society.”

The programme begins with Dvoøák's lyrical Mass in D major. Suffused with gorgeous melodies, the tone of this work is hopeful and its message peace on earth. Vaughan Williams on the subject of Christmas is a recipe for warmth and nostalgia. This concert version of his charming rendering of the nativity, The First Nowell, will remind everyone why this is such a special time of year.

The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £15 (under-16s £2), are available from the Corn Exchange box office (01635) 522733.



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