On a warm summer’s evening, in a concert bound for greatness, Mousehole Male Voice Choir held their annual Midsummer performance at Paul Parish Church. The programme was unusually packed not only with songs (see below) but moments of remembrance, birthday celebration, dancing and humour. The Choir provided a stellar performance of the fifteen song programme rounding off with an encore as well and receiving a standing ovation at the end of the Concert.
Cheryl Brendish, guest soloist and soprano, provided a broad set of songs and arias and filled the church with her stunning voice and vocal range. She will be remembered especially for her departure from the stage to move among the unsuspecting members of the audience with shining eyes and mischievous theatre giving moments of private attention to any she chose. Those away from the end of rows were safe but even her accompanist David Ceredig-Evans, and our musical director Steve Lawry, were not immune from her attentions!
Cheryl, originally from Nottinghamshire, pursued her passion for singing from a young age, training with the late Pamela Cook, MBE, and joined Pamela’s renowned choir Cantamus, travelling the world singing in competitions and concerts. Cheryl later studied at Trinity College of Music, London, and ventured to Australia to join the Victoria State Opera. She has played leading roles in both the soprano and mezzo-soprano repertoire for a variety of opera companies across the UK as well as her own company, Intimate Opera Cornwall. Cheryl performs each year in the Secret Gin Garden at The Great Estate Festival in Scorrier and in 2025 performed as a singer and conductor for the Pyramid Stage opening ceremony at Glastonbury. Beyond her performances, she teaches voice, piano and ukulele privately, leads the Cornwall Music Service Trust’s Vocal Team, and runs her own businesses, Find Your Voice and Intimate Opera Cornwall.
After her vocal masterclass, she ran a second masterclass on how to receive flowers with grace and panache to the amusement of all.
Unusual departures also included helping our regular guest flautist Maureen, also wife of a first tenor, to celebrate the day with a round of happy birthday. Many thanks to one and all for a truly fantastic evening.
MMVC sang: Amazing Grace/All Because …, Lullaby Of The Tides, Calm Is The Sea, All Hail The Power; Slow Down, Riders In The Sky, The Long Day Closes, Deus Salutis; Cadgwith Anthem, On Newlyn Hill, Drill Ye Tarriers Drill, Riversong; Evergreen; Thanks Be To God, The Steady Light, His Grace Will Lead Us Through, Encore – We Rise Again.
Cheryl Brendish sang: Vilja, Ebben! Ne Andro Lontana; Heart, We Will Forget Him, Les Filles De Cadix; Visi D’Arte, I Could Have Danced All Night.