Parent Update - Mass in Blue

Worle’s Youth Choir were treated to the fantastic experience of performing Mass in Blue with its world famous composer, Will Todd. After months of rehearsals led by Mrs Burlinson, Mrs McLorinan and former Worle Head of Music, Howard Sayer, the choir were joined by Weston Choral, Mezzo Soprano, Martha McLorinan, and Will Todd with his Jazz Trio, for a packed auditorium on Saturday 8th June.

The individual choirs performed their own songs in the first half, including Weston Choral debuting new compositions by Will Todd. The Youth Choir performed a Pentatonix arrangement of Ed Sheerhan’s Perfect, accompanied by year 8 cellist, Natalie Page (pictured left), followed by Coney Island Baby sung by Worle’s very own Barbershop Quartet (Riley Backler, Arlie Hobden, Toby Lythgoe, Jake Roberts).

Solo items were performed by Martha McLorinan and year 9 student, Tessa Ractliffe (pictured below), who wowed the audience with two Saxophone pieces. Tessa has had a fantastic year having passed her Grade 8 Saxophone with Distinction, played with the Marines, and joined the National Youth Concert Band.

The second half was dedicated to Mass in Blue, a six-part choral suite sung in Latin, with an unusual blend of opera and improvised jazz. The combined choirs numbered seventy-five singers accompanied by the virtuoso piano playing of Will Todd, drums, bass and saxophone. Martha was guest soloist resulting in a spectacular evening of music.

Having now worked and performed with one of the UK’s great modern composers, these are exciting times for the Youth Choir as they prepare for a tour to Noordwijk in the Netherlands next year. You can hear the Youth Choir perform at the annual Summer Concert on the evening of 17th July. Tickets will be available on Parent Pay soon.