Coronavirus: Up and singing again!

MAY 23 2021: The Croydon choir is back!  After poring over government regulations, conducting a rigorous risk assessment and carefully studying the local weather forecast, no fewer than 28 choristers gathered at Sandilands for a sing on Saturday morning. 

Back together after 14 months (Photo Paul Binge)

For many, it was the first meeting with their choir colleagues in 14 months, so there was a buzz of chatter to mark the numerous reunions.  The choir, who occupied the patio outside the Sandilands clubhouse, then embarked on an hour-long performance of favourites old and new. The latter included songs which had been learned during the choir’s lockdown online rehearsals,  led by choir MD Roger Pinsent and assistant MD Nat Brawn.

Energetically leading  the Sandilands performance was après conductor Dave Bannister, who warmed up the choir with a belting version of Happy Birthday for baritone Paul Binge. Before long the patio was resounding to Anthem from Chess as the choir rediscovered the pleasure of singing live, hearing and harmonising with each other.

Diving deep into memories

The choir then alternated between new and existing repertoire, some requiring a deep dive into members' memory banks.  There was a haunting rendition of You Were Always on My Mind, led by an enthusiastic group of top tenors. The new songs included the dramatic Hallelujah Chorus, the exciting spiritual Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho, the operatic aria/football anthem Nessun Dorma, the pop classic Bridge over Troubled Water and the gentle folk song Ashokan Farewell.

The choir had been concerned in case they were disturbing Sandilands’s neighbours but need not have worried.  One neighbour looked over his fence to join in Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. Another posted on Facebook:  "Enjoying my morning cuppa, listening to Croydon Male Voice Choir practising outside - they sound amazing". Interestingly, this post was "liked" by Claire Tillotson who commented that her father (David Tamberlin) used to sing with the choir.

The session was briefly interrupted by a shower and the choir is planning a return to the Sandilands patio next Saturday morning.  It hopes to return to indoor rehearsals if and when the Covid regulations are next relaxed, currently scheduled for June - and concerts should resume in the autumn.