Red, white and blue; the colours of so many flags of the world and inspiration for our winter concert. Each work celebrates key events or cultures in their respective country of composition.

Dvorak's lively and unforgettable Overture represents the exuberance of a traditional Czech carnival. Gabriel Faure looks back to dance music of the French classical period while Doreen Carwithen evokes the Suffolk countryside in a work celebrating the Royal opening of a new concert hall at Framlington College, which incidentally is Ed Sheeran's former school. Aaron Copland's 'Quiet City', for solo trumpet, Cor Anglais and strings is a haunting and evocative work which originates from a play of the same name.

Finally, Tchaikovsky's 2nd Symphony is a wonderful celebration of his favourite holiday destination in what is now Ukraine. Typically boisterous, and at times playful, yet also melancholic, this work has everything there is to love about Tchaikovsky's writing.