October Observations – 2 concerts

October has brought us two most enjoyable mellow and warming concerts. Here are views and observations on both.

Harvest concert – St Katherine’s Church, Teversal

Observations by a first-time audience member
I had been looking forward to hearing the M&DMVC with The GentleMen at their Harvest Concert at St. Katherine’s Church, Teversal but I was still surprised by just how much I enjoyed and appreciated the serene energy of their voices in that beautiful setting. So many familiar songs and some unfamiliar ones were all performed in beautiful heartfelt harmony, under the direction of the ever-animated Ian Grice and with the benefit of wonderful acoustics. of course. What a Wonderful World and Calon Lan were especially moving and an African Trilogy I found very stirring – and different! What Would I Do Without My Music? and If I Fell in Love With You were just lovely and the Neapolitan Trilogy was great fun. Pims and cake at half time was a treat, too. All in all, it was a perfect evening – and well worth missing Strictly for! Thank you all.
Lyndsey Jones

An Autumn Concert
There is no doubt that a weekend in the company of our brother choir St Edmundsbury Male Voice choir is always one of joy, friendship and mutually supportive singing. Christ’s Church, Bury St. Edmunds has a wonderful acoustic which carried the performances of both choirs to the rafters.
SEMVC made a cracking job of their performance with tight, harmonious singing. My favourites were the two Burt Bacharah numbers “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” and “What the World Needs Now”. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was most accomplished and all their songs seemed to wrap you in warmth against the semi autumnal weather and brought a sense of involvement and belonging to both choirs and the audience.

Our two sets were introduced by Paul Bennett, our incomparable and entertaining compere and choir Chairman.
We staged only 21 singers, but our delivery filled the room and elicited full engagement and smiles from the SEMVC lads and audience. Our songs choices were wide ranging from “Rachie” in Welsh, the much ever popular “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” medley to the haunting and poignant “Tell My Father” and our exciting rendition of the Take That hit “Shine”.

Given that choirs develop their own style and portfolio it is inevitable that shared numbers are male voice choir standards and the two choirs didn’t disappoint with “Softly As I Leave You” and “Morte Criste” to close the first half and for the concert ending “Bring Him Home” and “An American Trilogy”. It is always interesting to see the different control techniques of conductors and truly, there could not have been much wider differences between Ian Grice (for M&DMVC) who was animated and demonstrative whilst Leslie Olive (for SEMVC) gained control with flowing minimalist instructions, yet both brought out expression and performance in the joint songs. A wonderful and informative experience.

The afterglow at the Dragonfly Hotel was most convivial and at the earliest opportunity both choirs were singing joint favourites (many more than in the concert) accompanied by the piano backing tracks developed by John Wakeland (M&DMVC Bass and Treasurer) using Musescore files. Everyone had sung out by midnight to end another very successful evening.
We look forward to returning to Bury St Edmunds in 2028 to participate in their 40th Anniversary concert.

Thanks are due to many. Ian and Maureen were in top form guiding and accompanying us through the concert as did Leslie and Jill the SEMVC MD and accompanist. Alun Roberts made sure our stage presence was top notch. Paul’s link man presentation skills can always be relied upon to entertain and all our choristers gave of their best. Lynden’s tireless preparation and arrangement work as Concert Manager was done efficiently and effectively. Kevin our coach driver from Vallances transported us all with ease and a friendly manner. The SEMVC family had prepared the concert and venue with care and thought, ensured that there was a sizable audience (concerts are pointless otherwise) and we are always grateful the ladies serving refreshments at half time.

This is what belonging to our choir brings; unity and friendship which extends not only between us but across counties.

Front row left to right: Jill Garrett (SEMVC accompanist), Maureen Lockwood, (M&DMVC accompanist) Ian Grice, M&DMVC MD) Leslie Olive (SEMVC MD) and on the presenting dais Mark Whitehead (SEMVC Chairman). M&DMVC in red jackets, SEMVC in evening dress.