HM Queen Elizabeth II 90th birthday celebration concert

By Georgina Wilcox

It was just like going out to watch a choral and orchestral concert in England last Friday (3) – it was raining and had been for much of the day. The only difference was the rain was considerably warmer. You see, this was Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands.

The Cayman National Choir and the Cayman National Orchestra, both conducted under the baton of the lovely talented musician, Sue Horrox, put on a concert to celebrate the upcoming birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

It was a concert the Queen herself would have enjoyed and appreciated and I was so sad that HE Governor Helen Kilpatrick was not present to enjoy the beautiful singing and fine musicianship on display.

I was also surprised that the hall on Smith Road, given at no expense by the Cayman Prep School for the evening, was not “packed to capacity” as our publisher Joan Wilson likes to say. Ms. Horrox commented on it in her opening remarks by saying, “We might not have quantity but we have quality.”

Never-the-less the auditorium was 75% full and the audience was very appreciative with their clapping and cheering.

After the final rendition was finished, part of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance (just “The Land of Hope and Glory”) where the audience was invited to join in and wave their Union Jacks which they joyfully did, they shouted for more.

Although the audience was already standing to sing and flag wave the combined choir and orchestra would have received a standing ovation.

The programme included The National Anthem, The Cayman National Song, Handel’s La Rejoissance, Hornpipe and Zadok The Priest, Rutter’s This Is The Day (composed for William/Middleton’s Wedding), MacGillivray’s Song For The Mira, Joan’s favourite song A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Island’s The Hills, Erin Isle Sketches and Sondheim’s Send In The Clowns.

I hope the concert is repeated as I want to see it again.

To all those who missed it – you missed a rare treat.