hago concert reviews
Hampshire Guitar Orchestra » reviews
We acknowledge the copyright in each of these reviews by quoting only extracts.
hago at Station Theatre Hayling
From their in-house magazine
hago, otherwise known as the Hampshire Guitar Orchestra, presented a fabulously entertaining evening to an audience of more than 100 on Sat 4th October. This musical feast, seasons with a spice of cabaret, comedy and pantomime was thoroughly enjoyed by both the audience and guitarists alike. The guitarists were skilfully led by Musical Director Derek Hasted, who is not only an excellent musician but also made me and everyone else laugh 'til I almost cried. In the words of our very own Vince Bailey, it was "a spiffing evening" ...
hago at URC Hayling
Article for their Church Magazine
An evening of guitar music presented by HAGO, the Hampshire Guitar Orchestra, was a sell-out event with the church filled to capacity and proved an immensely entertaining experience. Some 14 talented musicians led by their Musical Director (and Comic-in-Chief), Derek Hasted, played a variety of guitars from the small high-pitched alto to the grand deep bass instrument. They produced a vibrant and versatile programme of more than 20 pieces covering a wide spectrum of styles and tunes, many, to the uninitiated, not usually associated with classical guitars. Even Dick Barton put in a musical appearance ... This event, attended by over 150 people, including 7 young budding guitarists, was held in aid of the current building fund endeavours and grateful thanks is due to Hago and the appreciative audience for their valuable support.
WSGC, Amanda Cook and hago
From West Sussex Guitar Club's Club Magazine, "Good Vibrations"...
... we were treated to a supremely polished performance by hago. Derek Hasted does a wonderful job arranging a whole spectrum of music for the orchestra. Having four sizes of guitar ... gives a much greater range to their music. I would be hard pushed to pick out a favourite because they were all gems ... In addition to being a brilliant player and arranger, Derek is also a wonderful compère. If you have never seen hago before visit their website to find their forthcoming events. You will not be disappointed.
- Enjoy sound clips from the Concert
hago and Bruce Paine
From Classical Guitar Magazine ...
... I was to witness a fine solo performance for the first half, followed by a riotously good piece of ensemble playing from the Hampshire Area Guitar Orchestra ...
Derek Hasted is a bit of a dynamo; you can feel his energy and sense of humour (jokes not totally unlike the late proprietor of that famous jazz club in Frith Street, Ronnie Scott) ripple through his band of guitarists and out to the audience ... Their repertoire is huge and tonight they had tongues firmly in cheek with numbers by Leroy Anderson, Charles Williams's Devil's Galop+ (the perfect chase theme a la Keystone Cops) and Sousa's Liberty Bell. Sting's Fields of Gold ... was given extra melodic poignancy with 16-year-old Louise Harbert's flute playing ...
They are an inspirational group raising thousands of pounds for charity with their performances ... I applaud Derek Hasted for bringing great music played on the guitar to a wider audience far beyond classical guitar's often specialist-with-a-capital-S followers ...
From West Sussex Guitar Club's Club Magazine, "Good Vibrations"...
On 7 July I was fortunate to be present at a concert that encompassed all that music making should be about ...
Bruce commenced the proceedings with a varied and challenging programme... His rendition of Stepan Rak's Remembering Prague was truly memorable ...
hago prove that serious music making is not only entertaining but can be great fun. Their repertoire is not only popular and accessible but is performed with great professionalism by an obviously well-rehearsed and highly competent orchestra ....
- photos and a video clip from the Concert in our Scrapbook
Birdman of Bognor
From West Sussex Guitar Club's Club Magazine, "Good Vibrations"
"The hago orchestra regaled us with 2 hours of varied music covering the whole spectrum of the guitar ranging from classical, Spanish, jazz, rock, pop and South American - all very popular pieces and expertly played by the well-honed Orchestra. Well done Derek who leads, arranges and (also) plays the pieces ... I do hope that the concert will be repeated next year ... giving the general public greater exposure to our most favourite of instruments - the guitar"
Petersfield Concert in aid of Cecily's Fund
From the website of St. Mary Magdalen, Sheet.
"The aim of the DIY concert was for us all to have a bit of fun and to raise money for the fund - over £1,000 was raised as a result of this evening!
As a reward for our efforts we were able to see our special guests hago, the Hampshire Area Guitar Orchestra, who provided the perfect finale to the evening.
hago surprised many of us, not knowing what to expect of a guitar orchestra! Fortunately they had clearly come to entertain us, with a large variety of music and even some jokes...
Recognising the Dr. Who theme tune was not difficult, but Ambrose Barber had to do his duty as Church Warden in identifying the theme tune to Dick Barton, which seemed to involve a race among the orchestra as to who could finish this breathtaking piece first!
(They did however all finish at the same time - which is, I suppose, what they are meant to do after all)"