Amidst the energy of recent weeks, we thought we deserved a chillout session, to recharge our batteries. An afternoon of music seemed ideal, and the De La Warr Pavilion, offered the perfect solution.

Hastings Sinfonia, a local orchestra were presenting Music from Musicals. My sister in law had secured second row seats for our party of 8. With the orchestra seated on the auditorium floor, rather than the stage, we were just a few feet away from the conductor. This was going to be a fully immersive experience.

As the lights dimmed, the orchestra rose from their seats, first to welcome their lead violinist, then to greet the conductor as he took to his podium. He was to be, not only their guide, but the narrator advising the audience of the order of play.

Across the next hour, we moved from the music of Dances with Wolves, to the Sound of Music piano concerto, the composer of which, was seated amongst us. No pressure on the pianist! The composer of the next piece, the Finale from the ballet Ismanien, Polo Platti, was also with us. He personally took to the stage, to enchant us at the piano.

Then the stage was filled with children from a local school choir, who treated us to a beautiful rendition from the opera Madame Butterfly, before encouraging the entire audience to sing Edelweiss.

As they filed off the stage, the lights went up and they with the entire orchestra took a well earned short break.

We returned to our seats on a high, looking forward to part deux. The program promised us a wonderful mixture of music. The theme from gladiator loudly filled the air, before we were brought back down to earth, with a tune written especially for the orchestra, called Chuff in memory of a local man who love both the orchestra and the miniature railway that chugs along our seafront.

Images on the back drop behind the orchestra, together with the theme from the film Schindlers List, brought a very reflective moment to the audience.

However the backdrop suddenly filled with space ships and the theme tune from Stars Wars lifted our spirits once again.

The school choir returned to the stage, singing three songs in French. Nervous soloists sang beautifully with their chorus supporting them perfectly.

We were galloping towards the finale and oh my goodness what a theme to send us on our way. Pirates of the Caribbean reverberating around us, everyone immersed in the moment. The intensity of the orchestra was spectacular, from the percussion section, to the brass, the harpists and the string section as they swept us along with them.

It was a roller coaster journey of energy, music and singing.

What a fabulous way to spend a Sunday afternoon