Four amateur choirs, some talented instrumentalists and a tiny audience graced the Town Hall tonight for a 'Cantata' for St Cecilia's Day, celebrating Oxford's links with several other cities in Europe plus one in Nicaragua. It was probably the silliest performance I've been in since I was cast as a signpost in a play when I was 6. (I can still remember my lines: 'This way to Little Puddlesworth. This way to Little Puddlesworth.' etc)

This evening involved an idiotic story, a whole lot of rather banal jokes, too much musical repetition and some fabulous playing from Oxford Concert Party - 'Europe's only Baroque and Tango Orchestra'. 

It was their leader, Arne Richards, who put the whole thing together and wrote some of the music. Which was how it happened, really. He is passionate about enabling everyone to enjoy making music (Arne was the person who got me singing again after 30 years) and no-one involved in music in Oxford would ever say no to anything he suggested.

Our rehearsal at 5pm was painful but somehow, by 7.30pm, everything had got tighter and faster. The audience laughed, joined in, and clapped. A lot. Mad but fun.


Endorsements of Oxford Concert Party from their website:
'A decidedly unstuffy bunch of superb musicians ... Look out for them whenever your spirits need a lift.'
The Daily Telegraph

'It's totally different, crazy and triumphant with a peculiar vitality.'
BBC Radio

‘F*****ing great!’
Inmates, HMP Whitemoor