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Apparently a British Museum official, on being shown the recently discovered hoard of Anglo-Saxon treasure, could only say - “Wow!”, and that pretty much sums up the general reaction to the performance of the Chethams Ensemble in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor on Friday 9th October. Thirteen youngsters (two wind quintets and three solo string players) put on a stunning display, and impressed their large audience not only with their musical prowess but also with the charm and unforced confidence of their presentation. To hear such a wealth of talent really was like uncovering hitherto unknown treasure.

There is no doubt that many of these musicians will become well known in the future, and 16-year-old cellist Joseph Davies has indeed already won acclaim as BBC Young Composer of the Year. His thoughtful playing of a movement from Miaskovsky’s Cello Sonata was moving and impressive, as were the solo contributions from violinists Gabriella Jones (aged 14) and Molly Cockburn (aged 18). These three string soloists have just competed in the first round of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition.

The two wind quintets played challenging repertoire by composers such as Mozart, Nielsen and Hindemith, but also entertained mightily with renderings of the famous circus piece ‘Entry of the Gladiators’ by Fucik and ‘Mozart’s Turkey Rock Mambo’ by Terence Greaves. Clarinettist Katie Corfield (aged 15) spoke eloquently in the interval about her own and a fellow-player’s efforts to raise money for a band from a village in Africa to join them in the ‘Commonwealth Resounds’ outreach project in Trinidad in November; listeners were so impressed that a total of £200 was raised in the retiring collection.

Many thanks to former Club Chairman Nick Jones, now Head of Strings at the school, and accompanist Brenda Blewett, for bringing this inspiring party to Dolgellau, where they also gave an afternoon workshop for Year 10 pupils at Ysgol Y Gader. Thanks also to Cyfeillion Cerdd Ieuenctid Meirionnydd for supporting the latter, and to W.D.Pugh and Son for sponsoring the concert.

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