Enjoy a Summer Serenade at the Harquail Theatre

Dubbed ‘cool music for a warm summer evening’, the Cayman National Choir & Orchestra’s upcoming concert ‘Summer Serenade’ will feature some of Cayman’s most talented musicians performing a mix of musical genres likely to please a range of music-lovers.

The event, which will take place on Friday 17 June starting at 7.30pm at the Harquail Theatre, will be directed by CNCO’s founder Sue Horrocks, along with Jonathan Taylor, the orchestra’s Musical Director. The event is a poignant one for the musicians as it will be Jonathan’s farewell concert, as he is leaving Cayman and heading back to the UK along with his wife Nicole, the orchestra’s Principal Clarinet.

Attendees can expect music from the baroque and classical genres, as well as lighter pieces, featuring a range of soloists from within the choir and orchestra and beyond. In particular, Cayman musicians will be celebrated, their talent and commitment keeping the musical flame burning bright, organisers said.

Flute player Liz Millson will be joining Shauna Basiuk to perform Vivaldi’s Double Flute Concerto in C Major and Nicole Taylor will be singing ‘My Heart was an Island’ from Swiss Family Robinson.

Greta Ecke will be giving the world premiere of a piece of Jonathan’s for solo cello and orchestra called ‘When you are old’.

Exceptional talent

During the five years under Jonathan’s baton, the orchestra has expanded its membership, added a strong percussion section, brought in talented young players and excited concert audiences with the quality of the music, organisers explained. The Symphony Orchestra could now claim to be a leader in its field in the Caribbean, they confirmed.

Sue Horrocks, who founded the CNCO 20 years ago, said: “Jon’s musical talents, enthusiasm, energy and ability to communicate with his fellow musicians, led me to ask him to take up the mantle. He has led the orchestra to new heights and entertained audiences who will remember his Mancunian ‘chats’ and love for the music of John Williams.”

Sarah Newman, the leader of the orchestra, said: “Jon has helped the orchestra gain a professional sound through his rigorous rehearsal skills and contagious energy. He has always been encouraging, giving me, other orchestra members and local students, the opportunity to perform solos and compositions.”

Jonathon studied composition at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester before becoming the Musical Director of the Greater Manchester Police Band in 2012. He has composed, arranged and directed music for a wide range of occasions, including directing welcoming fanfares for Her Majesty the Queen. As a performer, he plays piano, percussion and brass, as well as teaching in the Cayman Islands.

Jonathan said the opportunity to conduct, grow and present the fabulous Cayman National Orchestra over the last five years had been “an absolute thrill”.

“I am so proud of what this small island has to offer in musical quality and diversity; it really is a centre of the arts in the Caribbean which I hope will continue to go from strength to strength. I would like to give particular thanks to Ms Sue Horrocks for presenting me with this fabulous opportunity and the CNCO committees over the years for their wonderful support,” he stated.

Organisers said they would be very sorry to see Jonathan and Nicole go and would like to thank them for the huge contribution they had made to music in Cayman.

Dawn Eaton, President of the Cayman National Choir & Orchestra said: “While Jon will be greatly missed, we are eagerly recruiting for a new musical director who can continue to build on the orchestra’s success and ensure an exciting future for our members and our community.”

Tickets are $35 adults/$12 for under-18s and advance bar tickets are available at https://eventpro.ky/.