On Friday evening choral group Contempo – made up of local singers, led by Toby Huelin – performed a repertoire of 21st-century songs.
And on Saturday it was the turn of the foot-stomping bluegrass Orange Circus Band, playing updated traditional music from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, as well as their own original compositions.
Families and friends brought picnics and rugs and enjoyed both events, despite the threat of rain on Friday evening.
Karen Evans, events manager for the National Trust, said the idea behind the two musical contrasts was to ‘captivate the audience with stunning choral harmonies’ on the Friday and ‘get everyone up and dancing in their cowboy boots’ on the Saturday.
Luckily for the organisers the weather stayed fine and, although there were no spectacular sunsets, the stillness of the air provided the musicians with superb acoustics.
- Contempo is a new, mixed vocal ensemble.
- The group was founded in October 2014 by Toby Huelin and specialises in music from the 21st century.
- Made up of between 8 and 12 voices, Contempo provides a platform for young people to sing together.
- It currently counts among its members scientists, accountants, journalists, lawyers and students.
- The group say they have gone from strength to strength since their founding.
- Contempo’s first event was the Christmas Light Switch On in St Helier and was followed by a sold-out Christmas concert at the National Trust’s Georgian House in December 2014.
- The choir sings a wide variety of musical styles, and recent performances have included everything from classical composers Frank Ticheli and Gustav Holst, to popular artists Sam Smith and James Bay.
- In addition to concert performances, the ensemble is also available for private parties, functions and weddings.
- Find out more about the band here
