Mousehole Choir hit the bright lights of London
Tuesday 5th November, 2013 - 8:06pmMousehole Male Voice Choir have enjoyed their annual tour! This year there were two great highlights, as the men and supporters converged on London in two coaches, by car and train, in fact any way they could get there.
On Friday afternoon almost sixty Mousehole men sang beautifully in Southwark Cathedral. The oldest cathedral in London, next to London Bridge, the wonderful acoustics were appreciated by a full audience. The Dean welcomed the choir, and one of the Cathedral staff commented that there had never been so many listening to an afternoon concert there. Many had come from Cornwall, but there were lots of strangers there who soon became friends of the choir.
After the rousing 'Let There Be Light' came the controlled dynamic of 'The Lord's Prayer' and the scene had been set for an amazing concert. The men responded wonderfully to every gesture from Musical Director Stephen Lawry, and were met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the audience. In the words of a couple of very long serving members it was one of the best concerts they had ever been involved in.
The gorgeous 'When I Hear Music', with interplay between Annette Turton, on the piano, and the choir at their quietest and then most powerful was a joy, and the pauses were as beautiful as the singing as the sound bounced around the cathedral.
It was an afternoon to be remembered and cherished for both performer and listener.
The following day saw the culmination of 15 months of hard work by choristers from all over Cornwall as some 590 men joined together in the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall, which raised money for the RNLI, the Cornish Hospices and the Radio Cornwall Appeal.
The Mousehole men were delighted to take part alongside their friends from all over Cornwall, and even further afield. All the west Cornwall choirs were represented, and the feedback afterwards was of pure joy at such a special Cornish occasion. It was a huge success, with the Albert Hall sold out months ago, the men well prepared, and sharing the pleasure of the patriotic Cornish evening with the boys of Cambiata Cornwall, and the splendid Cornwall Youth Orchestra, under Tim Boulton.
Mousehole were delighted that their Musical Director Steve had been elected as one of the four guest MDs, and as well as sharing the hard work of preparing all the singers with the other three MDs over the past 15 months, Steve had the privilege of starting off the concert by leading the first four items, along with Mousehole's special lady, Annette, at the piano. What a thrill for them!
There was also a special part of the concert for the second tenors and baritones from Mousehole as they sang the solo line in 'You Raise Me Up'. A wonderful and special atmosphere prevailed for the whole event, and everyone came out of the Albert Hall on a high.
No doubt several hotels around London were as lively as the one in which members of Mousehole, Nankersey, Truro, St Keverne and other choirs were staying, with singing into the small hours with their supporters.
No wonder people join male voice choirs to share such joy in their lives.
A terrific weekend for travelling supporters, for Mousehole Male Voice Choir, Annette and Steve, and they will now turn their attention to their Christmas repertoire!
