A tale of two choirs

June 10: The choir staged a wonderful concert with its friends from the Croydon Philharmonic Choir at Croydon Minster on Saturday.  The choirs sang two sets each and then combined for a thrilling finale: African Prayer, conducted by CMVC music director Andrew Moore, followed by the Hallelujah Chorus, conducted by CPC music director David Gibson.

CMVC sing at Croydon Minster joint concert (Photos Paul Binge)

The first half of the concert consisted of popular opera choruses; for the second, CPC sang four showtunes, including Over the Rainbow, while CMVC sang four pieces from its current repertoire, ending with the hymn Morte Criste.   The two choirs, when combined for the two-piece finale, comprised almost 100 voices. 

CMVC and CPC combine for Hallelujah Chorus, conducted by CPC's David Gibson

The audience was generous in its applause and gave a standing ovation, (from one Welsh person) for its stirring rendition of Gwahoddiad in Welsh.  Afterwards one audience member said it was a “wonderful evening”; another remarked on how much the choir had improved since she last saw us.

Music directors Andrew Moore (left, CMVC) and David Gibson (CPC)

In the changeover between sets, the choirs' accompanists played two spectacular organ pieces: CPC's Ian le Grice performed the Grand March from Verdi's Aidi, while CMVC's Sam Prouse played the Carillon de Westminster by Vierne. 

Choir heroes (left to right) Gillman, Keel and Darroch: sang all 17 pieces (photo Katrina Keel)

The evening was especially memorable for the three men who belong to both choirs:  Tony Darroch (tenor), Tony Keel (baritone) and Peter Gillman (bass). They remained on stage throughout the concert, singing a total of 17 pieces. “I thought it would be an endurance test,” one of them remarked afterward.  “But it turned out to be really enjoyable.”