It's all systems go for Steve Lawry's men as a hectic singing schedule beckons for Cornwall's largest and busiest choir. Starting with our bi-annual trek to the far north of the county to Week St. Mary and ending with a night down far west at the Old Success in Sennen, the choir is certainly clocking up the miles.
It's two practices a week leading up to the Summer Festival so there is no time for resting on our laurels as the musical team and the men strive to reach as near to perfection as they can for this important and much anticipated concert.
July 4th saw the bi-annual trip up to Week St. Mary. Apparently it was my wife's birthday that day....but nobody can turn down Bob Johns and his charity concert. A gruelling 2 hour coach trip through the beautiful Cornish countryside was followed by a sumptuous tea before the concert. Despite the heat, the choir sang well to a sell out audience at the lovely Week St. Mary church. A good session in the pub afterwards with some more great singing to round off an excellent night.
No rest for the wicked, as next day over 50 of the choir went to St. Just chapel to sing with the children of St. Just and Pendeen primary schools. A most enjoyable afternoon. St Just chapel is an amazing place to sing in. It's so important to keep alive the tradition of singing with the young children. Singing at that age can inspire and give confidence and there was no lacking in either from the youngsters. It is something that I know the men enjoy doing and support these events in great numbers. Who knows.... we might have inspired some of them to join a choir when they get older. We certainly hope so.
Friday the 10th saw another practice and afterwards it was down to the Old Coastguard in Mousehole. The choir had been invited to sing at the Sea,Salt and Ale Festival and were only too happy to oblige. Here was a chance for people who wouldn't ever go to a church or a chapel to see a concert to hear what we can do and see what they have been missing! Always a good evening and another opportunity to promote the choir and Cornish male voice singing.
Sunday the 12th of July saw another outdoor concert at Mousehole Harbour which was well attended despite the threat of rain. Our MD was in fine form with his stories and the choir in even finer form with their singing. A special mention to Paul Worth who conducted the choir for the first time. He did a brilliant job and we look forward to him leading us at the Lifeboat Service.
It's now all systems go for the Summer Festival on August 2nd at St. Mary's Church, Penzance. The concert starts at 7.30p.m. and the queue begins to form at around 6.00p.m. It is always a memorable evening for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's always a sell out. Secondly, we always have a great guest artist.....and this year is no different with the return of the brilliant Welsh baritone Eirian Davies, and thirdly it's a wonderful place to sing.
On Friday, August 7th, we go down to the Ferryboat Inn on the Helford river. It is a stunning location and the pub and the beach is packed to the rafters to hear us sing. A wonderful setting, locals and visitors together enjoying the concert. Again it brings the beauty of male voice choir singing to a wider audience base and Harry is always happy because we sell loads of our CD's.
On Sunday ,August 16th at 6.30 p.m. it's the Lifeboat Service on Mousehole quay. This is a very important date in our calendar. Poignant, reflective and very moving, this is a time to remember those who gave their lives for others and also to bless those who continue to risk their lives today.
We return to Mousehole Harbour on Sunday, August 23rd for another outdoor concert, this time starting at 3.00p.m. And last, but not least, it's all aboard to the wild west of Sennen on Friday, August 28th, where we sing at the Old Success. Looking out over Sennen beach,watching the sun go down, surrounded by friends singing beautiful Cornish male voice songs.....nature and voices in perfect harmony. What could be better than that? See you there.