Romsey is a beautiful town, 28 miles northeast of Portsmouth and in the cosy and welcoming United Reform Church we were hosted by the talented Romsey MVC. Having recently won two cups at the Mid Somerset Music Festival with an adjudicators comment ““lovely vocal quality, dynamic palletes, thrilling at full throttle, glorious, good diction, always singing with such a committed, warm performance style” “A male voice choir at its very best”……wonderful”; we knew we were in for a treat. The delicacy of sound in “Hine e Hine” and “Prayer of the Children” left us spell bound and our as Deputy Musical Director, Phil Robinson, commented, it was “painting with sound”.
As for our contribution, William Asher of Romsey MVC said “I so enjoyed our joint performance last night and your singing and set list was superb. “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “The Fields of Athenry” were my favourites and your rendition stirred deep emotions, I absolutely loved your performance. The afterglow was one of the best I have been to and the friendship and fellowship was very strong in the room between the two choirs. Thank you again for a really good night’s entertainment and I’m sure we will meet and join together in song in the not too distant future.
We were treated by the hospitality of their welcoming Supporters‘ Group, the music of the concert, the friendly atmosphere and the wonderful skills of their MD Marion Maxey BEM. It was indeed male voice singing at its best. We concur.
Milton Glee Choir is led by our old friend from St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir, Mark Jefferson. His new role is guiding and developing a long established mixed choir which is very different to the atmosphere of a male voice choir. Their music was complex and skillfully presented with soaring sopranos and beautifully balanced altos, tenors and basses. I really enjoyed the “Ubi Caritas”, “And So it Goes” and the “Sondheim Selection”. Once again, we were congratulated on our classic male voice singing particularly the singing Welsh in “Rachie” and “Ar Hyd Yr Nos”.
The finale pieces at end of each half “You Raise Me Up” and “Morte Criste” were a spectacle. Beautiful singing, tenderness and subsequently volume in an organ enhanced (played by Mark) “Morte Criste”.
Our MD Ian Grice and Accompanist Maureen Lockwood were on top form as was our chairman and compere Paul Bennett. The afterglows were great fun after both concerts, building long-lasting relationships and memories and, of course, we continued the singing at hotel until a record breaking 1.30am. Phew!
This was a super weekend, classic in fact, which will long remain in our group memory. Our organizer, Concert Manager Lynden Lowe surpassed himself didn’t he; thanks mate, a great job and we look forward to the return matches here in the East Midlands.
Thank you all for a brilliant weekend. Time spent with family and friends is never wasted and is always the best of times. It is a privilege to travel with you gents to all these places and to hear top quailty performances. Here’s to our next time on the road. Xx Adele Stenton
A great weekend for all concerned, thanks go to Steve Vallence for the very comfortable coach and brilliant driver Kevin Betts who we think can get the coach wherever water can get. Well done also to the host choirs making it a most enjoyable event.
Happy Birthday to Ola Gjeilo on 5th May. He is the composer of Ubi Caritas.
The Portsmouth Tour was a demonstration of the power of music to unite people from many backgrounds. Always a pleasure to sing with Ian’s direction and Maureen’s playing. However our hosts broadened our horizons with a wide range of pieces.
Just as interesting was the city of Portsmouth itself. Thanks to Terry Northern for getting the low down on attractions. The Spinnaker gave amazing views, the dockyard area was good. Though the Victory was hidden, the scaffolding itself was a work of art! The harbour tour was an informative and relaxing time on the water.
Thank you to organising team and my fellow singers – weren’t we good? (YES!)
Yet another good in depth report, you didn’t have to be there to see that it was obviously an enjoyable and memorable weekend for all concerned. MDMVC providing another fine performance (was there ever any doubt that they would), I’m sure that the concerts with Romsey and Milton Glee choirs were ‘Top Rate’.
Well done all.
Such a fabulous weekend, with plenty of good singing, good food, new friends and memories.
Brilliant tour best yet thank you one and all🙂👍👍
The softness, delicacy and precision of Romsey contrasting with the visual impact of the Jolly Roger hats and cutlasses. The lush harmonies of Milton Glee and the soaring soprano line at the end of Morte Criste. The entertainment and spirit put across by MDMVC which impressed our hosts and the audiences. Many memories that linger.
A rewarding tour in so many ways.