Bermuda School of Music Celebration Concert *** Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts *** Saturday, January 20 If you combined the music of Michael Nyman with the score from a Hitchcock movie, you would end up with something similar to "Woman and a Dragon'' by Tatiana Dran.

And audiences in Bermuda were treated to the world premier of the piece for string quartet at the first concert of the Bermuda School of Music on Saturday night.

The elegant discord of the piece, beautifully executed by the quartet led by Joan Stewart on violin, may have sounded strange to those unaccustomed to modern classical music.

But the dramatic pace and finely worked chords clearly illustrated the struggle between a woman and her deep-rooted fears, and proved that Dran is a talented composer.

Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, she has been a piano instructor at the Bermuda School of Music since 1999, and the inaugural "Celebration'' concert was the perfect place for the debut of her most recent composition.

The concert at the Ruth Seaton James Centre was organised to mark the merger of the Bermuda Conservatory of Music with the Bermuda Academy of Music and gave a range of music to suit all palates. From Baroque, through to classical, to modern to two new pieces, the range of talent by the faculty was clearly shown.

However, the concert would have been even better if pupils from the school had been included in the programme. The youngsters from the Suzuki violin group played during the interval and proved they had what it took to play to a large audience.

Two performers stood out above all others on the night for both their star quality, stage presence and their virtuoso performances.

The moment Karol Sue Reddington stepped on to the stage, there was little doubt here was a star. And as she sat down before the huge Steinway piano with no music before her to play Debussy's L'isle joyeuse, there was already a feeling of anticipation in the hall.

Dr. Reddington's performance was spectacular. The well-known piece of music is not easy, but a lightness of touch and the deep feeling with which the pianist played managed to elevate not just the piece but the whole concert to an entirely different level -- one which could easily compete with concerts in London or New York.

Her delicate gold leather high heeled shoes darted, pumping the pedals as her hands glided across the keys, her whole body consumed by the music.

Dr. Reddington originally came to Bermuda as director of Dunbarton School of Music and is currently the Arts Events Chair and teaches not only piano but also organ and theory at the Bermuda School of Music. During the concert she also demonstrated her talent as a violinist.

The other clear star was Tim Rhodes on trumpet. His performance of "Quiet City'' by Aaron Copeland was a show-stopper. You could almost feel the rain on the deserted streets of New York as his soul-hitting notes were echoed by the cor anglais played by Gaynor Gallant.

Echoes of a reveille could be heard in the piece and the timing was perfect over-all -- but it was Rhodes who every one was watching, mesmerised.

Composition full of drama and elegance Englishman Rhodes came to Bermuda with the Royal College of Music Symphony orchestra to play in the 1996 Bermuda Festival and was immediately offered the post of brass teacher at the Bermuda Academy of Music, where he has been ever since.

The humour in an unusual arrangement of the well-known jazz classic "A Walk in the Black Forrest'' played by Louise Risby on the xylophone and accompanied by Mark Dorrell on piano actually made the audience laugh out loud. The 1950s lounge music sound of the xylophone evoked images of men in black tie and women in party frocks sipping martinis, and the witty arrangement got one of the loudest claps of the night.

The sweet Elizabethan love songs of John Dowland sung by baritone John York Skinner gave a personal and intimate interlude to the evening. Also of note was the quality of the string quartets, whose performances were all technically immaculate, and helped by playing old favourites such as Mozart and Vivaldi.

Mairi Mallon