Following three successful “Waldorf Experiences Afternoon Tea with Music” at Windermere School we set our sights on a bigger and different event which would reach out to more people locally. On a Saturday in February over two hundred older people from across the South Lakes area travelled to the School for the first Waldorf Concert. There were some faces we knew but there were also many who were new to Waldorf.
The afternoon began with drinks and canapes. The pupils dressed in their professional black and white outfits finished off with the Waldorf green bar aprons, served our guests with great care and attention making sure that everyone felt welcome and just that little bit spoilt.
Josie Winston and Nora Hunt from Alexandra Court in Windermere told us that “All of your students were very welcoming and we could not have been made to feel more special”
As everyone gathered, rekindling old friendships and meeting new people, the atmosphere was buzzing and it was clear they were all ready to take their places and be entertained. The concert programme embraced performances from a range of ensembles from Windermere School, the Community and Dignity in Dementia choirs and Evie Plumb, a former student and singer songwriter.
As our guests moved into the theatre and settled into their seats the lights dimmed and we were treated to a concert that was both varied and of the highest standard. There were songs from the musicals to classical greats with some wonderful instrumental pieces. The journey for our audience began in 1905 Russia with songs from Fiddler on the Roof then travelled through Georgia with a Hoagy Carmichael classic sung beautifully by Evie. Towards the end of the first half the Waldorf Experience favourites “Windermere Girls’ Chamber Choir” in their new evening dresses bought especially for the occasion sang amongst other classical pieces a moving rendition of Purcell’s “Sound the Trumpet” followed by the Finlandia setting of “Be Still My Soul”.
After the interval when the audience was served with little tubs of Lakes ice cream making it really feel like an afternoon at the theatre. Jean with a big smile on her face, told us “The whole afternoon was lovely and you could not fault anything but I have to say the highlight was the ice cream!”
As the afternoon drew to a close we were all captivated by the beautiful performance from Charlotte of a solo harp piece by Faure.
There were so many appreciative and positive comments from our guests but Bill and Edith Daley summed things up by telling us “We could not have asked for more, it was such a special afternoon where we were really spoilt, we have talked about it time and again and we hope to be invited back”
Everyone left with smiles and feeling they had been treated to something special on a cold February Saturday afternoon.
Big thank you to all involved for making this first concert an afternoon to remember.We are now planning for the next concert in 2019. We have some great new ideas but just now they will remain under wraps. What is certain is that we are going to wow our guests once again – can’t wait!