Plaudits at two concerts

November 4: Croydon Male Voice Choir has performed two outstanding concerts in the past three weeks, winning plaudits from its hosts and audiences alike.

The first concert, on 11 October, was held at St John’s, Hurst Green. It was hosted before a packed audience by the Friends of St Catherine’s Hospice and introduced by Linda Henson, Senior Nurse Practitioner at the hospice in Pease Pottage, who spoke of the vital support it offers people with life-limiting or terminal illnesses.

Linda introduces the choir (photos Paul Binge)

The choir responded with the Irish folk song, Star of the County Down, followed by three other popular songs from its current repertoire.  The choir Octet (ish) sang three pieces, including Myfanwy, performed in Welsh, and a second choir set of songs from musicals ended the first half. 

The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Sandilands Shanty Crew performing a set, and ending on the rousing Finlandia hymn.  Then came a storming encore of Saints, bringing  resounding applause from the audience, many of them on their feet. 

Resounding applause from packed audience at Hurst Greem

The choir repaired to the nearby Diamond pub for an après session, bringing further praise from landlord and -lady Boz and Julie, who said they looked forward to the choir’s next visit.

Following the concert, Monica Bartholomew of the Hospice Friends thanked the choir for “a wonderful concert” – which raised no less than £3644, “a magnificent donation for much needed funds”.   

Sam plays, Andrew conducts, choir sings

The second concert, on 1 November, was staged at St John’s in Old Coulsdon – this time in aid of repairs to the church roof. Highlights from the choir repertoire included African Prayer, Nessun Dorma, Make you Feel my love and the concluding piece, the Hallelujah Chorus, followed by an encore of Battle Hymn of the Republic. 

Two dazzling solo piano spots were played by Hannah Watson Emmrich, who won special acclaim for her last piece, Troubled Water, a scintillating and complex jazz/spiritual fusion by the Black US composer Margaret Bonds.

CMVC sings at St John's, Old Coulsdon (photo Ralph Goodwin)

Hannah, who was visibly enthralled by the choir’s performance, later said that it was “some of the best community choir singing I’ve ever heard”.  And CMVC MD Andrew Moore commented that the choir sang “as well as we ever have with him”.

The choir is now hard at work rehearsing for its Christmas Concert at St John’s, Shirley, on 13 December.