An acclaimed American composer dropped in at Christ Church to inspire a hundred classical musicians from six schools during an afternoon of music making.
Bill Himes brought several of his compositions to the church in Radford Street, where he put students through their paces before taking up the baton to conduct them at an evening concert.
“It’s been a great learning experience as they not only rehearsed pieces they’d never even seen, many of the kids sat next to someone they hadn’t met before, let alone play alongside them in an orchestra,” he said.
His trip to England was the brainchild of Stafford Grammar School’s director of music, Gavin Lamplough, who was eager for pupils to benefit from the expertise of the Chicago composer, conductor and lecturer. The SGS musicians were joined by youngsters from Stafford Preparatory School, Wolverhampton Grammar, Blythe Bridge High, Wrekin College and St Joseph’s College.
“I’ve imparted a little bit of wisdom and given them an insight into what it’s like to work with a composer. Usually the most you get to know is the name of the composer written on the top right hand side of the page, so it’ll have been nice for them to have gained a glimpse of the personality behind the music. And I’ve brought different shading to the work, in than I’ve been able to specify how I think it should be played,” said Bill.
The Michigan University graduate has worked has worked extensively across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. Among the pieces the young musicians learned were ‘Barbarossa’, ‘Creed’ and his Elgar-inspired march, ‘Island Empire’.
“I do think this country is steeped in melody. I enjoy English composers like Elgar and Britten but to be honest I’m all over the map when it comes to particular music I like,” he added.
