A rousing concert given by Darlington Orchestra on Saturday may be the last time an orchestra plays in the town’s Arts Centre, but under the baton of David Plews, this enthusiastic group of local musicians ensured that it was a night to remember.

The orchestra opted for more familiar pieces than they did on their previous outing, and their spirited performance of Mozart’s overture to Don Giovanni, provided a suitably dramatic opening. They also demonstrated their skills at playing jazz: Take Five, made famous by Dave Brubeck, with its tricky five-in-a-bar rhythm went with a real swing, (helped along with added finger-clicks from the audience).

Quieter moments came with Sailing By – familiar to late-night listeners of Radio 4 – and a selection of Bach chorale arrangements. These lovely arrangements for full orchestra gave the brass and wind instruments a chance to shine, and I particularly enjoyed the trombone and horn playing.

The orchestra’s guest performers this evening were the Darlington Clarinet Ensemble. Their arrangement of Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D Minor worked very well, at times sounding just like an organ with the reed stops out. The Secret Garden by Pam Wedgewood was an atmospheric piece, with a beautiful solo for the rich sound of the bass clarinet.

The clarinet ensemble joined the orchestra for the final piece, Moussorgsky’s Great Gate at Kiev, in a special arrangement by Mike Frankton, a member of both groups – using the clarinets for the bell-noises was a particularly effective touch, and the combined forces made a terrific sound.

The orchestra hope to continue giving concerts in Darlington, but with the future of the Arts Centre in doubt, they will now, like many other groups, be looking for a new home.

Jane Shuttleworth