So popular was the concert, some people were turned away and they missed a wonderful night of classical music.

I was lucky to get one of the last few seats at the back of the ballroom so although I could not see any of the musicians or Roger Bryan conduct the orchestra, I could still hear them.

The academy comprises musicians from Newark’s internationally-renowned School of Violin Making and they spent the evening performing a concert of works for a string orchestra, sponsored by Newark Town Council.

The concert began with a warm introduction by the Mayor of Newark, Bryan Richardson, before a wonderful performance of Elgar’s Serenade For Strings in E Minor, Op 20.

In three movements, there were soaring strings, syncopated rhythms, fantastic bowing techniques, deep rich tones and an ethereal ebbing and flowing feel.

Next was my favourite piece of the evening, Telemann’s Concerto for Viola in G Major, featuring soloist Benjamin Kaminski on viola, and a wonderful accompaniment by a harpsichord.

In four movements — Largo, Allegro, Andante and Presto — there was lots of trilling, fast fingerwork, and a sense of playfulness combined with sorrow as if someone was calling out for love, found it and then lost it again. A powerful, dynamic piece.

After the interval we were treated to Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No 10 in B Minor — a very dark, depressing piece of writing with frenzied playing towards the end. It is amazing that the composer wrote this — one of 12 symphonies — when he was aged between 12 and 14.

Next was Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia On A Theme by Thomas Tallis with a rich contrast using pizzicato and arco and then Grieg’s Holberg Suite Op 40, a lovely, energetic piece, featuring five different dances, receiving rapturous applause at the end.

The proceeds will be divided between the British Red Cross Japanese Tsunami Appeal and the academy. Next year it would be nice if the concert could take place over two evenings so everyone can see the academy in action in such a glorious setting — DAB.