Radlett Music Club presented a Family Concert featuring the Purcell School's Elastic Band Sextet on Sunday, January 24 at Christ Church Vision Hall, Radlett. The Sextet comprised Purcell students led by the Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion, Kevin Hathway. The audience of children and accompanying adults thoroughly enjoyed a whirlwind musical journey around the world introducing music and musical instruments to them in a highly entertaining and interactive way - this was no conventional concert, rather a musical experience.

The Sextet arrived wearing huge sombreros and vividly coloured T-shirts. They were introduced by the energetic and exciting Kevin Hathway. Hats removed (they were too large to allow the playing of musical instruments), the Sextet performed simultaneously the Flight of the Bumble Bee and the Can-Can from Orpheus in the Underworld in an unusual and original amalgam. A version of Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado followed with the audience participating in gong-striking and much bowing in the Japanese manner.

Kevin introduced the audience to the various instruments and their ranges (string, brass, woodwind and percussion) with lively explanation and mime with the audience encouraged to simulate brass-playing by blowing raspberries. One of the Sextet intriguingly played two recorders at the same time. Clapping exercises, playing simple percussion instruments, jokes, questions and a long series of challenges for the audience followed and then everyone was on their feet dancing an Irish jig.

The concert ended with Kevin's version of West Side Story with children encouraged to stand amongst the Sextet. They were engrossed by the sound and musical skills surrounding them and their rapt attention said "let this last lots longer".

Robert Mann