The Menuhin Foundation has been in Bermuda since 1976 with the aim to foster and develop an interest in classical and other music, and its most recent performance showed that this aim is continuously being reached, reinforced and passed on through generations of talented children by dedicated teachers and enthusiastic supporters.

Those of us who can cast our minds back to the 1970s can see the huge difference that the Foundation has made over the years to music teaching and appreciation in Bermuda. And the 80 children who played on Monday night are proof that the Menuhin Foundation of Bermuda is an enriching factor in our lives.

First up was the 'First Orchestra', consisting of 15 children ranging from about six to eight-years-old, their instruments' tuning pegs decked with tinsel, their faces attentive and their bows ready. Some had only been playing since last September and this was their first performance in public.

Under Caroline Gledhill's and Charles Knights' direction, they produced three very creditable pieces of teamwork: 'Christmas Calypso', 'Silent Night', and finally a composition by Mr. Knights himself, 'Could it be That Santa's Here?'.

The audience joined in with their massed key chains, under Mr. Knights' able direction.

Three young violinists and a pianist gave us an interpretation of Kathy and David Blackwell's 'Caribbean Sunshine', a nice atmospheric piece with a calypso beat.

Next, the junior orchestra under the direction of Kerry Haslam and Alison Johnstone, consisting of 19 children with ages up to senior school level, entertained us with the 'Blue Danube Waltz', 'Here comes Santa Claus', 'Star Seeker' variation and 'Sad Sunday'. These last two are by Sheila Nelson, one of those rather unsung composer/teachers of music who can create music that is both technically right for the young player and musically interesting at the same time.

Both Ms Haslam and Ms Johnston have been in Bermuda a long time with the Menuhin Foundation, but have lost none of their energy and dedication. They direct with punch and verve and the young musicians give of their best for them.

The 'Christmas Carollers' is a volunteer, mixed-age string ensemble, a wonderful jumble of kids of all shapes and sizes aged up to 18, the brainchild of Karen O'Brien and the Menuhin teachers. They played a selection of lively Christmas carols with confidence and energy.

The whole concept seems to have the beneficial effect of the Montessori system, where children of quite differing ages are encouraged to interact, to the benefit of all. These carollers have a delightful sound and are much in demand. Look for them in the Washington Mall this Saturday!

Two solos by Lucie Baker and Madeleine Fox on violin followed. First, Felix Borowski's 'Adoration', both technically demanding and highly romantic. Then Henryk Wieniawski's 'Kujawiak', a Polish polka-like dance, played with a series of phrased fermatas which were rather amusing.

The Youth Orchestra under the direction of Ms O'Brien, the team coordinator of the Menuhin teachers, then took the stage. First with the opening movement of Grieg's 'Holberg Suite', a work not as well known as the 'Pier Gynt Suite' perhaps, but just as good. We hear Grieg composing in a deliberately 18th century style (like Holberg, the Norwegian composer of that time and subject of the work).

Vivaldi's 'Double Cello Concerto' featured soloists Kevin Simmons and Harry Medway and was a welcome and unusual treat. Ms O'Brien had chosen it to showcase her talented and hard working cellists, and they performed it beautifully.

The concert finished with an Irish atmospheric number, 'Irish Legend' and then 'Ring Christmas Bells' for the finale.