Choir celebrates its first 50 years
July 14: The choir produced a brilliant 50th anniversary concert at St Mildred’s church, Addiscombe, on Saturday. The 200-plus audience included CMVC’s first four music directors, guests at the concert, who stood as one to applaud the choir’s final number, Hallelujah Chorus.
From left: Former MDs Pinsent, Ratcliffe, Hoyle, Arnold
Afterwards plaudits rained in, delighting the choir for an event which had been months in the planning. “We smashed it,” one jubilant committee member said.
St Mildred’s was almost full when the choir started the evening with two testing numbers, Make You Feel My Love and Steal Away, conducted by CMVC’s current music director, Andrew Moore. Afterwards Lana Bode, CMVC pianist 2010-14, who deputised for regular choir pianist Sam Prouse, praised the perfect pitch of Steal Away. Another former pianist, Elspeth Wyllie, lauded the choir’s balance for Make You Feel My Love.
Compelling Moondance tenor-sax solo from Abi Binge
The next set was performed by baritone James Irving, followed by two songs from Octet(ish), the accomplished choir spin-off formed during the era of MD Roger Pinsent. The first half closed with three further pieces from the choir, including Moondance with a compelling tenor-sax solo by Abi Binge, daughter of choir baritone Paul, and ending with a stirring rendition of Finlandia.
During the first half, two of the four former music directors were introduced to the audience: Phil Ratcliffe (1975-94) and Ozzie Arnold (1994-2000), each standing to take resounding applause.
(From left) Roger Pinsent (MD 2018-22), former pianist Elspeth Wyllie, Phil Ratcliffe (MD 1975-1994), Richard Hoyle (MD 2000-18), Darren Wilkins (former Assistant MD), Ozzie Arnold (MD 1994-2000), Andrew Moore (MD 2024-present)
The introductions, and applause, continued in the second half for Richard Hoyle (2000-2018) and Roger Pinsent (2018-2022), who was wearing his trademark shorts and flip-flops – “you wouldn’t have expected anything else,” he said afterwards. The last introduction, in absentia, was for Matthew Quinn (2022-24), who left the choir to become chorus director, no less, at the English National Opera. He was succeeded by the current music director, Andrew Moore, also from Northern Ireland.
The choir sang Matthew's arrangement of Star of the County Down, which he had dedicated to CMVC, in the opening set of the second half. Then came a rousing set from the Sandilands ShantyMen, who have been winning praise in the shanty world, and two more pieces from James Irving.
Baritone James Irving, accompanist Lana Bode: full of praise for choir
The concert closed with three final choir pieces, culminating in the Hallelujah Chorus which had the four former MDs on their feet to applaud along with much of the audience. When the choir encored with The Battle Hymn of the Republic, ex-MDs Phil Ratcliffe and Ozzie Arnold were among the former members who joined the choir on stage to sing.
In closing remarks, choir chair Kim Ormond paid tribute to the "current and past music directors who, through their enthusiasm and dedication, have made us what we are today." There was a jubilant buzz among choir members which persisted during a spirited apres at the nearby Builders Arms.
Elspeth Wyllie commented that it was “lovely to hear the choir on top form, with the same hearty spirit that I associate with CMVC”. Richard Mander, the St Mildred’s director of music who played the church organ during the final choir set, said he was impressed with the choir’s power.
Octet(ish) delight packed audience
Roger Pinsent praised the choir’s accurate tuning. Lana Bode said it was an “absolute pleasure” to play for the choir “on such a momentous occasion…the programming was superb, the energy and focus from the choir was palpable, and it was such a thrill to hear the lads holding the tuning so well in the unaccompanied sections.”
Richard Hoyle wrote that the concert “was so entertaining and well-organised” and praised the “wonderful and, to me, nostalgic sound of the choir”. The choir, he added, “was about more than singing, it was about camaraderie and a sense of belonging."
The concert brought the current choir season to a close. Its activities will continue during the summer break with informal rehearsals, walks, and pub gatherings. Eight members are heading to Australia, where they will follow the British Lions rugby tour.
Rehearsals resume on Thursday September 11 and the first performance of the new season is at Southwark Cathedral on Saturday September 27, starting at midday. (NB not on September 20 as previously advertised.) The first full concert is at St John’s, Hurst Green, on Saturday October 11. The choir’s next 50 years have begun.