Exhilarating debut for new music team

October 23: Croydon Male Voice Choir staged an exhilarating concert at St John’s, Coulsdon, yesterday.  The concert saw the first appearance of the choir’s new music team, music director Matthew Quinn and pianist Sam Prouse. 

Matthew conducts (photo Katrina Keel)

The choir sang sixteen pieces, culminating in a resounding encore rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic that had many audience memberts on their feet.  Among those enthusiastically applauding was Sir Bob Neill, Conservative MP for Bromley and Chislehurst. 

Several audience members praised the clarity of the choir's diction: "You could hear every syllable," one said.  Another complimented the choir for its technical virtuosity while singing quiet passages.

Matthew rehearses before the concert

Choir members and audience alike felt that the choir had already benefitted from Matthew’s expertise, enhanced with a two-hour rehearsal on the afternoon of the concert. Matthew arrived at the choir in September with a rich and diverse cv that is doubly remarkable for one so young (just 25 when he became MD.)

Matthew (left) and Sam, the new music team

No less impressive was the contribution of pianist Sam Prouse, who joined the choir at the same time as Matthew.  One highlight was his dazzling performance of the solo parts in Bridge over Troubled Water.

Soprano Victoria Whittaker, a long-time friend of CMVC, complemented the choir with her six solo pieces, including the ravishing Ivor Novello piece My Dearest Dear.

At the end of the concert, St John’s churchwarden Ralph Goodwin thanked the choir for “a wonderful evening”. The evening continued with a spirited après sing in the nearby Tudor Rose.

You can see the choir singing A Million Dreams using this Link (turn on the sound in the bottom right of the frame)