THE orchestra gave a generally pleasing performance, but were let down by their brass section on several occasions.

The opening, Weber's Ruler of the Spirits overture was played well, as the orchestra captured the different moods, but there were problems with the brass.

Violinist Shulah Oliver took the solo for The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams, and was technically brilliant. However, she did not play with much emotion, particularly at first, though she did seem to convey more feeling towards the end.

She is very young and has technical ability, but needs to play with more "heart" - this will surely come in time.

The orchestra's accompaniment was a delight.

I was disappointed with the performance of Capriccio Italien where the trumpets were having problems.

The orchestra saved their best until last, in a performance of Symphony no 1 by Sibelius.

The strings were impressive throughout, and especially in the second and final movements, but the horns made some very strange noises again.

VJS