Midsummer Concert 2016
Monday 20th June, 2016 - 10:46pmMIDSUMMER is one of the major dates in the Mousehole Male Voice Choir's 'home' concert calendar and everything turned up rosy - except the climate.
But blooming June's drizzle and rain didn't stop another large attendance in Paul church to hear the largest choir in Cornwall - singing 75 strong with several new young members - enjoying a tip-top performance under conductor Stephen Lawry with accompanist Annette Turton who was presented with a gift by secretary Tim James to mark her ten years with the choir.
There were plenty of favourites and popular melodies to delight the audience and several fresh from the library to ring the changes and contribute to a very popular programme.
A lit Easter candle had centre-stage in memory of Jo Cox, the Yorkshire MP killed just a few days before. And the Vicar, Revd Andrew Yates said the opening and finale items illuminated her career, 'The Spirit Lives' and the emotional and rousing 'We rise Again'.
Guest singer was Nattie Mayer-Hutchings from Cambridge whose sweet voice was heard to charming effect in a selection from opera and musicals ranging from 'O My Beloved Father' to 'Goodnight my Someone' from 'Music Man'. She has sung with the University G and S group at the Minack open-air theatre and will be with them again this summer in 'The Mikado'.
The choir was in dynamic form with full flourish, confidence, strong balance with fine diction. There was a medley to suit all tastes from the flamboyant 'Delilah' of Les Reed to another Welsh favourite 'Gwahoddiad' and on to 'Fly me to the Moon', Cohen's appealing 'Hallelujah' and the evergreen 'Morte Criste'.
Flautist Maureen Nicholls was soloist in two delightful pieces including Emerson's 'Riversong' and choir member David Evans soloist in 'Lean on Me', all received with warm applause.
It was a very friendly music-making concert on the eve of the summer solstice, more solstice than summer, with cheerful choice to defy the weather.
All taking part were thanked by chairman Charles Law and there was a final blessing by the Vicar. The choir will be singing on Friday June 24 with the Sierra Nevada Winds, a wind orchestra from Northern California, at St Mary's parish church, Penzance and also hold their annual highlight Summer Festival concert there on Sunday August 7th with guest Faryl Smith, a finalist in the 'Britain's Got Talent' contest.
Ahead, next year, lies a singing tour of Brittany and the conductor welcomed a 'twin' group from France in the congregation.
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The Choir
Annette Turton was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Secretary Tim James to mark her 10 years as Accompanist with the choir.
The Easter candle was lit during the concert in memory of Jo Cox M P who recently died in Yorkshire