Reigate & Redhill Music Festival 2010

Concert Finale, The Harlequin Theatre, Redhill Reviewed by Simon Ames

"Simply the Best" sums up the concept of the festival concert, a culmination of three weeks listening and assessing by a dedicated team of adjudicators as scores of people, both children and adults, played their music or presented their speech and drama for the Reigate & Redhill Music Festival.

Throughout the 25 top items billed for the final concert, which featured just youngsters from the festival, the young music-makers showed advanced skills for their age and unabashed enthusiasm as performers. The concert is always a delightfully heart-warming experience for the large family audience.

With Ruth Miller conducting, the sight and sound of the Caterham Preparatory School Choir singing John Rutter's All Things Bright and Beautiful was an enchanting opener.

Soon to follow was Meg Ishimitsu, aged nine, who showed masterly control of her violin – her piece from Dancia included some elaborate cadenzas.

Rosie David (seven) from the City of London Freeman's School performed Charpentier's Prelude to a Te Deum with her trumpet in commendable style for one so young. She was followed by 11-year old Francesca Carver from Hazelwood School, Oxted, whose Danse Rustique on cello was thoughtfully delivered.

In Speech & Drama, Sebastian Noller (15) and Callum Tilling (14) from Reigate Grammar School were so convincing with their bowler hats and suits in their portrayal of John Betjeman's The Executive that they have been offered places at the National Theatre this summer.

A well-tutored choral sound emanated from the year 10 singers of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School with their rendering of Howard Goodall's The Lord is My Shepherd, best known as the theme to the TV series The Vicar of Dibley.