Leamington Music, Family Concert, “Giddy Goat”, Royal Spa Centre, Sunday 2 March 2025

With a bright sunny morning, a lawn covered by crocuses outside the Spa Centre and masses of young excited young people gathering in the foyer, the scene was set for members of Ensemble 360, accompanied by presenter, John Webb, to deliver the long-awaited annual Family Concert, Giddy Goat.  Extensive vocal warm up with “whoops” and “sweet chewing” exercises, hand clapping and feet stamping preceded the “hello” to the five instrumentalists. Robert Plane demonstrated the ‘grumpy’ bass clarinet, Gemma Rosefield’s cello won the competition to see which instrument could play the lowest note!  The star moment was, without doubt, Naomi Atherton’s demonstration of the French horn, playing horn call from Wagner’s Siegfried. She certainly enhanced her reputation and the fascination with the French horn.  For many, many months Leamington has deserved to hear the instrument played so well!!

Giddy is the very friendly goat whose fascination with sheep encourages him to tackle mountain climbs he shouldn’t really attempt.  In an early expedition he finds himself tobogganing down the mountain on a tea tray, finding himself upside down in the morning. “Why” asked three year-old Alyx from Lighthorne who was enraptured by the story.  As Giddy’s exploits became more and more adventurous, the enlightened goat chose to rescue a lost lamb, Edmund.  This very considerate gesture was an  important message for these young people.

With many a supervising grandparent in attendance, this year’s cohort seemed to be less concerned than usual with what treats those grandparents could supply, and, on the evidence of how few visits to services outside the auditorium were required, presenter John Webb seemed to be doing a first class job holding the attention of his charges. With boredom, inactivity and excessive use of mobile ‘phones by young people an everyday worry to many a parent and grandparent, it was pleasing to see Webb reach the end of an hour long concert with Giddy Goat and Edmund developing and maintaining a close friendship.

Long may these Family Concerts continue, the numbers are encouraging, the messages important, too.