Is there a doctor in the house?!

The European Doctors’ Orchestra you see was 107 strong for their concert at The Glasshouse (aka The Sage) this afternoon. My friend Michael Cave plays flute with them.

The choir of healthcare workers, who had rehearsed Poulenc’s Gloria, was 96 in number.

There were a good number of doctors in the audience, so I was relieved that no one took ill. They would have been crushed in the rush to help!

This concert raised money for St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle.

The pieces were introduced by different orchestra members. The eloquent and amusing introduction for Ravel’s Alborada del Graciosa was better than the music, imho!

I enjoyed Elena Kats Chermin’s “Collective Heart”, a world premiere. The Poulenc Gloria was transporting.

After the interval we had Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo and the Gershwin An American in Paris. The percussionists had a whale of a time!

This morning I visited Maureen who was ready to go to the Remembrance Service on The Sele park. Her friend Christie was taking her. We all went. There was a very large and respectful crowd.

It was cold so we went for coffee in The Beaumont.

Then I went to see Margret. We did not have enough time before I had to head off to Gateshead, but she walked well with the Zimmer frame again.

She thanks all of you for your kind good wishes.