GozoNews.Com

Gozo’s Chorus Urbanus will be joining forces to perform together with the Sheffield University Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Anthony Houghton in a concert at Bormla Parish Church on Tuesday 18th March, 2008. The concert will feature music by Aaron Copland, Philip Ciantar, Vaughan Williams, Cesar Franck, Judith Bingham and Wouter Lenaerts.

The Chorus Urbanus will perform John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen conducted by Anthony Houghton and choral music by John Galea that captures the appropriate ‘gravitas’ and compliments this time of the liturgical year. The choral offering will be conducted by composer John Galea. This event is being co-ordinated by Dr. Simon Mercieca, Director of the Mediterranean Institute at the University of Malta.

The Sheffield University Wind Orchestra (SUWO) aims to give a high quality ensemble experience for players, drawn from the whole of Sheffield University, by exploring a large selection of the best of the wide reaching repertoire, now available for symphonic wind orchestra. Regular weekly rehearsals fill up the dense schedule and help to produce exciting and dynamic concert programs and events.

Anthony Houghton was born in Warrington (Lincolnshire) and has studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music (forerunner of the RNCM). He was Principal Clarinet of the Northern Ballet Theatre and Manchester Camerata Orchestras for many years and has played regularly with the Hallé and BBC Opera North Orchestras. Anthony’s playing career has been complemented by his work in education and he is Instrumental Tutor and Ensemble Director at Sheffield University, where he is also Conductor of the Wind Orchestra (SUWO), and at Manchester Grammar School. He has directed numerous concerts in the Bridgewater Hall, the Lowry Centre, Westminster Abbey and in France and Germany.

The possibility of the SUWO entourage performing here in Gozo is also being considered.