2010 Concert

The old grandeur of Cheltenham Town Hall was the venue for this year’s concert and eight choirs filled the hall with a joyous sound. The hosts for the event were the Forest of Dean MVC and their organising committee should take great pride in the way it was all organised and for the smooth running of the concert. The choirs taking part were those from Birmingham Icknield, Cradley Heath, Worcester, Solihull, Warley, Gentleman Songsters, Churchdown and Forest of Dean.

Compered by the irrepressible singer/songwriter and raconteur Dick Brice from the Forest of Dean the choirs sang a selection of their favourite songs and two that were new to the repertoire of some of the choirs, What would I do without my music and The Sound of Silence.

The report in the Gloucestershire Echo – Choirs soar into song - was fulsome in its praise of the singers for performing everything from memory and for staying in tune when most of them were so far away from the piano. The report also praised Forest of Dean MD Tracey Gwynne and her accompanist Hayley Marangon for their superb control which contributed much to the musicianship of the choirs and also to the singing of the quieter pieces.

Dick Brice sang, amongst others, his poignant song of a pit rescue, and his poems included the description of a Cinderford wedding. The Forest of Dean MVC, in its own spot paid a compliment to Dick by singing two his songs, Home thoughts from the sea and Land between two rivers. A great character, and as someone was heard to say afterwards. ‘I wish he had been my headmaster’

Young pianist Alex Kirk impressed everyone with his pianistic skills in the Lark, by Balakirev and in the second half, with the fast Latin rhythms of Argentinian Dances by Ginastera. At sixteen years old, Alex clearly has an exciting musical career ahead of him.

As the report said, much hard work had gone into this successful concert which was in support of the Midland Air Ambulance.

Nothing sums up the event better than a comment posted on the Citizen website by Churchdown MVC Chairman Pete Wilson:

On behalf of The Churchdown Male Voice Choir let me be the first to congratulate The Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir for their brilliant organisation of what was a superb concert.

Tracey Gwynne, their MD has a gift of being able to let every chorister know exactly what she wants through her soft hands and mellow approach. The Forest of Dean MVC is very lucky to have this extremely talented lady as their MD. It is also blessed with a lovely accompanist in Hayley Marangon who really brings the music to life.

Alex Kirk ( Forest of Dean MVC deputy accompanist ) is a young man with a bright future.

His piano playing skills at the age of 16 are well ahead of his years and we wish him all the success he deserves.

Concerts like the EAMVC Concert don't just happen, they are made to happen by a very hard working team and i'd like to thank again Lyndon Powell, Chairman of The Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir, their Secretary Eric Woods and all their members for going that extra mile to ensure a marvellous concert.

There's one other man who needs a mention and that's John Currie, Secretary of The English Association of Male Voice Choirs who has also worked tirelessly on this concert. So much so that despite being there he wasn't able to watch or even listen to vast amounts of it. John was sorting out programmes, showing people to their seats and even charging some American visitors £5 to come in and watch the second half.

Well done John.

If you didn't come to the concert this year, make a note in your diary for Saturday 4th July 2011 when the concert will be hosted by Worcester Male Voice Choir at Worcester Cathedral.

Finally, thanks to the choirs of Birmingham Icknield, Cradley Heath, The Gentlemen Songsters, Solihull,Warley, Worcester and my own choir from Churchdown for the friendship, the quality of their singing, and a great time in the bar after the concert.

THANKYOU

Pete Wilson

Chairman.

Churchdown Male Voice Choir

commented on 21-Jun-2010 14:56