On most days when I am completely in my element whilst working on something, I plug in my earpods and let the world fade. More often than not, it’s the music of Lindsey Stirling that fills my ears. I gravitate toward the violin because I don’t want lyrics distracting my thoughts, just the purity of sound and the emotion carried entirely by instruments. Even in the tracks where she collaborates with other musicians, it’s the layered instrumentation that pulls me in. So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard about the Woodwind Kaleidoscope Concert.

Hosted in the serene chapel at Arundel School, the concert featured an exceptional lineup: Lauren Kitcat (Flute), Nicola Seager (Flute), Bradley Sibiya (Saxophone), Angela Wilde (Clarinet), Amy Macy (Cello) and Jeanette Micklem (Piano). Together, they performed around seven beautifully curated pieces, each one revealing a different shade of what woodwind instruments can do.

From the very first note, the music shifted and shimmered, with textures layering over one another in a way that felt both intricate and effortless. It was remarkable how two instruments of the same kind could create depth purely through timing, particularly in one piece where both flute players performed the same musical line, separated by a single measure. There we were, seated quietly, letting the music wash over us. No rush. No notifications. No lyrics demanding interpretation. Just pure and intentional sound. For a brief window of time, everything slowed, and there was a comforting stillness. The music had a way of gathering scattered thoughts and placing them gently back in order, almost as if preparing us for the inevitable roar of Monday morning, when life accelerates again.