On the hottest day of the year so far, the choir and band assembled prior to the concert to rehearse the joint performance songs “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “World in Union”. Greetings and the renewing of friendships and contacts was the natural precursor to achieving a blend of sound which is always challenging as the volume level of voices hardly matches that delivered by any band. It is with some considerable thought and skill that the band arrangement for these two songs was prepared to complement our voices instead of drowning out our efforts, and it worked, beautifully: thanks, and well done to band leader Carolyn Beedle.
The choir’s set list was comprised of songs that we have performed previously in other concerts, so they were tried and tested audience pleasers and performed well with sensitive dynamics and perfect intonation. This complete list was, “Anthem”, “Unchained Melody”, “An American Trilogy”, “African Trilogy”, “We Rise Again”, “Shine”, Calon Lan”, “ Let it Be Me”, “This is the Moment”, “The Wonder of You”, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Medley” and the two joint items. Compere for the choir was Paul Bennett with his own inimtable style of humour and friendly guidance through the evening. The audience were pleased, and in many cases sang along with us. Each song was followed by immediate, generous, appreciative applause, whistles and whoops and there was an instant, natural standing ovation at the end of the concert which makes performing for such audiences a real buzz and reinforces our pride and love of singing and performing together.
The swing band performance was a complete contrast to the male voice choir. You couldn’t help but clap, stamp your feet and join in with the accompanying vocalists Sarah and Andrew as they delighted the audience with swing time classics like Pennsylvania 65000, La Bamba, Georgia, Mas que Nada, Something Stupid and many others. It is a great sound and made the evening bright and engaging. They do it so well and with such enthusiasm.
The venue, Mansfield Rugby Club, was new to both the choir and the audience and our thanks go not only to the club for hosting the event, providing a bar service and working with our team of Lynden Lowe, Phil Millns and Alun Roberts in setting out tables in a café style allowing friends and families to sit together, share their food and make the evening so much more convivial than theatre style seating. We will undoubtedly return as it is likely that this concert will become an annual event: the choir and the band are up for it!
We don’t often mention and thank the complete list of choir organisers and helpers that made this and other concerts possible, so it is about time; here goes:-
Musical Director – Ian Grice, Accompanist – Maureen Lockwood, Concert Manager – Lynden Lowe, Stage Manager – Phil Millns, Compere – Paul Bennett,
Publicity- Geoff Mansfield, Treasurer – John Wakeland, Secretary (for ticket sales, programme design and printing and on the door) – Eileen Lawrence, also on the door – Julie Bexon,
Raffle – Marilyn Mansfield, Jo Scanlon, Joyce Cree, Adele Stenton, Transport of the piano, staging etc in Ian’s large van – almost all the choir members – thanks guys.
Special thanks go Alun Roberts. Al is our Baritone section leader and an active member of the Rugby Club as a player and junior teams’ coach. Interesting isn’t it, a Welsh born rugby and choir fanatic – it’s in the blood!.
Through his contributions not only did we secure the venue but perform to some folks that had never before experienced one of our concerts.
The photo shows Al on the back row in his white shirt and choir tie. The What’s App message read:-
“These guys and gals have never heard us before! They thoroughly enjoyed our performance and can’t wait for next year!
Favourite song – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Medley
Enough said!.
What a brilliant event this turned out to be. A new venue with many new faces in the audience. Because it was a sports hall the acoustics were good which helps the sound quality. The café style table arrangement worked well, allowing food to be brought in and a licenced bar for refreshments led to a more relaxed and informal atmosphere. I must say the audience were the most animated and appreciative I’ve ever witnessed which injects enthusiasm for us choristers to enjoy our performance even more.
Not forgetting the afterglow, which is always the cream on the top.
Little more to add. Supporters and newbies quickly joined in the ‘warmth’ of choir events and at the end there were many calls for ‘more!’
On this occasion we were able to see the band from the audience side, that is not usually the case. Doesn’t Carolyn work hard, both in the organisation and performing?
Finally, our choir were on show all the way through the evening and the lining up before going on stage, though informal, was well disciplined and effective. A great night!
A great night out for the audience, band and choir. Well done Geoff for a report which reflects the very positive vibes created by all participants in an exciting new venue. Special thanks to Ian in whose conducting both band and choir had complete confidence.
Thoroughly enjoyed the concert probably my favourite as it incorporates both my hobbies and interests. Great write up as usual Geoff