Choral Concert by Hemyock Singers
- Sunday, July 15 2007 @ 08:51 pm UTC
- Contributed by: Paul Steed
- Views: 1,564
All Saint’s Church, Culmstock was the venue for a choral concert given by Hemyock Singers with proceeds going to two charities supported by the Blackdown Mothers’ Union who provided excellent refreshments at the end of the evening
All of the music and some of the words had been composed by member Bob Brien who acted as Musical Director for the evening.
His own composition 'Requiem', which covered the first half of the programme, saw solos being taken by Jenny Doble (soprano) and Roger Lambert (bass). Since its first performance at Clayhidon a longer organ introduction and Dies Irae had been added. This work proved to be the highlight of the evening and was greatly enjoyed by the appreciative audience particularly the Sanctus; diction was good throughout and entrances attacked well. The second part of the evening consisted of a number of lighter pieces.
‘Trees’ and ‘The Blackdown Hills’ had been written as solos for Jenny Doble and Glyn Jones respectively; whilst the amusing ‘Golf’, chilling ‘The Merchants Tale’ and the beautiful ‘Love Bade Me Welcome’ were total contrasts. The main work in this half of the concert retold the poem of ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’ which was accompanied on keyboard by Nigel Atkinson ( who also gave excellent organ accompaniment to the other works) and Rachel Sprague, oboe.
Although this was an enjoyable evening there were times throughout the concert when the soprano voices dominated the men. This may have been because of the positioning of the choir who were partway under an arch or the in balance of numbers but those who attended would welcome a return visit from this Choir which has been established for over 30 years.
Janice Bawler
‘Trees’ and ‘The Blackdown Hills’ had been written as solos for Jenny Doble and Glyn Jones respectively; whilst the amusing ‘Golf’, chilling ‘The Merchants Tale’ and the beautiful ‘Love Bade Me Welcome’ were total contrasts. The main work in this half of the concert retold the poem of ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’ which was accompanied on keyboard by Nigel Atkinson ( who also gave excellent organ accompaniment to the other works) and Rachel Sprague, oboe.
Although this was an enjoyable evening there were times throughout the concert when the soprano voices dominated the men. This may have been because of the positioning of the choir who were partway under an arch or the in balance of numbers but those who attended would welcome a return visit from this Choir which has been established for over 30 years.
Janice Bawler