Summer Festival 2016

Wednesday 10th August, 2016 - 2:59pm

Summer Festival, Mousehole Male Voice Choir concert at St Mary's parish church, Penzance on Sunday August 7th.

                                                                              

MEZZO-SOPRANO star FARYL SMITH wowed the large audience at the annual highlight of the Mousehole Male Voice Choir year.

From opera arias to light musical highlights she displayed her remarkable range of singing talents, supported by admirable accompaniment from pianist Annette Turton, on Sunday (Aug 7) in St Mary's parish church at Penzance.

 

Mousehole choir, with a record-breaking 81 singing members in splendid voice under conductor Stephen Lawry, is now one of the largest in the country and last month sang to the Duchess of Cornwall in Exeter Cathedral to mark celebrations of the Children's Hospice movement in the South West.

Sunday was also a special occasion for two choir members, Derek Harvey and Arthur Brown, enjoying their 65th anniversary with the group. Starting as youngsters - both still live in the picturesque fishing village - they were presented with certificates by president Revd Julyan Drew, to mark their service, the longest in the choir's almost 110 years history.

There was also a 20 year badge for Brian Thomas and ten-year badges for  Mark Lean, Mike  Osborne, Roger Barker, and David Mayne and he congratulated the choir on its high quality of commitment. There was a special welcome for vice-president Gavin Pomeroy, of Plymouth, who had been a member in the 1940's and 50's and whose mother Ann had been choir accompanist for a record 32 years. The president greeted a senior member in the audience who was celebrating her 93rd birthday. Presentations to leading participants were made by secretary Tim James and the choir’s newest member Jonathan Bradley.

There were seven new numbers included in the glittering programme including 'Calling me Home' by Libby Pentreath and Ian Marshall, who were in the audience. The deputy conductor was David Williams and the organist John Harry. Thanks to all who contributed to the success were expressed by choir chairman Charles Law.

Faryl, 21, who shot to national fame almost a decade ago in 'Britain's Got Talent' last came to Penzance four years ago, impressed with her variety and beauty of repertoire, clear tone, breath control and presentation with show-stoppers as 'I could have danced all Night', 'Somewhere', the delectable 'Sweet Chance' by Michael Head and operatic arias by Rossini including 'La Promessa'. She is now a student at the Guildhall School and has recently sung to Prince Edward at Windsor and with tenor Jose Carreras.

The choir also deserved the ovation from their wide selection, opening with the triumphant 'We Rise Again' and including the joyful 'Fly me to the Moon' and 'Walk a Mile' and the lively 'Four Strong Winds'. They were joined by Faryl in one number and in two by guest flautist Maureen Nicholls. Choir soloist in 'Lean on Me' was David Evans.

Members come from throughout Cornwall: from St Ives to Liskeard, Porthleven, Falmouth, Newquay and Redruth as well as the whole of the Land's End peninsula.

Many of the songs were sponsored by choir supporters, eight new members have joined the ranks the past year and the next concert will be outdoors on Mousehole quayside on Monday August 15 (7.30pm).

In the St Mary's audience were holidaymakers from overseas and throughout this country as well as members of many Cornish male choirs. It was a concert of high enthusiasm and standards led by the popular musical director.