July 2010

Concert at St Giles on the Heath Coronation Hall for Rexon Cross Methodist Chapel, Sunday 18th July 2010

The chapel held a light supper evening with entertainment from the Choir and in aid of circuit funds, on this warm July evening. The large audience enjoyed 16 songs and two classical pieces from Philip Price. Music from “Les Miserables” opened the performance with “Bring Him Home”, “Do You Hear The People Sing” and “I Dreamed A Dream”, followed by the very different rhythms of “Pedro The Fisherman” and “Bring Back The Beguine”. Philip Price then played the Haydn’s Finale Sonata 23 in F on the keyboard, and the choir continued with “What Would I Do Without My Music”, “Unchained Melody”, “My Heart Will Go On” and “Nessun Dorma”.

A very welcome interlude followed. The hall was hot on this July evening, and it was fresh air and orange squash all round. The choir decided to do their Full Monty bit for the second half (well, take off their jackets, anyway – that’s a start)!  There was fresh energy going into “Gwahoddiad”, “Let There Be Peace On Earth”, “Softly As I Leave You” and “Walk Away” before Philip Price entertained us with Schubert’s Impromptu in E Flat. 

The final section introduced the changing tempo of four songs – “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “Jamaica Farewell” (complete with Gerald’s maracas!), “I Believe” and “When The Saints”, much enjoyed by everyone as the choir was in fine voice. The audience enjoyed participating in the evening with three hymns. 

We were sad to admit that this was the last concert Larry Pearson would be singing with us. Larry has played an invaluable part in our bass section since coming here from the USA two years ago with his wife Ginnie, Minister at Hartland Methodist Church. Larry and Ginnie are returning to Oregon U.S.A in August and will be greatly missed. The choir presented Larry with a Certificate of Appreciation and a card. The whole evening was rounded off by a farewell drink to Larry at the local pub on the way home. 

   

Linda Atherton July 2010

Bradford & Cookbury Village Hall, 10 year celebration concert, Saturday 17th July 2010

The community of Bradford and Cookbury began their project to provide a new Village Hall several years ago, culminating in assistance with a lottery grant in 1999 and the opening of the hall in 2000. The weather was kind for their Day of Tenth Anniversary Celebration, which included an afternoon “Cream Tea Concert “ at which the choir was pleased to entertain, and an evening hog roast dinner.

After a warm welcome from the local vicar, the 70 people attending the afternoon enjoyed the choir’s renditions of “When The Saints”, “Softly As I Leave You” and “What Would I Do Without My Music”, followed by “My Heart Will Go On” and the choir’s songs from “Les Miserables” including “Bring Him Home”, “Do You Hear The People Sing” and “I Dreamed A Dream”. There were also music interludes with Philip Price playing Debussy’s first Arabesque in E and Jack Bailey sang “Tonight” from “West Side Story”. 

The audience were amused by “Pedro The Fisherman” before the choir sang their new song, “Unchained Melody” and “What Would I Do Without My Music”, the title song from their popular CD. The first half ended with “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “I Believe” and “Nessun Dorma” before a break for tea and delicious home made scones with lashing of strawberry jam and clotted cream. Yum! Everyone had at least two!

The choir sang “Gwahoddiad” after tea, before handing over to audience participation with patriotic songs and flag waving, well done Larry! “Rule Britannia”, “Jerusalem”, and “Land of Hope and Glory” were greatly enjoyed with everyone singing, and finally standing for two verses of “God Save The Queen”. It was lovely to visit this impressive hall in a beautiful setting, and very rewarding to have it filled with an appreciative audience and the choir in truly excellent voice.
 

Linda Atherton July 2010

Concert at St Nectan’s Church, Stoke. Tuesday 13th July 2010

“One Week In Summer” is an annual event staging a wide selection of music, and the choir joins with Hartland Town Band one evening during the week to alternate entertainment in the beautiful and historic St Nectan’s Church at Stoke. The hotter weather had left us for a few days but the evening was dry and bright and about 60 people enjoyed this year’s concert. 

The band’s variety stretched from a “Mary Poppins” medley to an excellent arrangement of “Macarthur Park”. The choir started with the aptly titled “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, followed by the upbeat “Saints Go Marching In”, before singing two Matt Munro tribute songs, “Softly As I Leave You” and “Walk Away”. Their next number was “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic”, with “Nessun Dorma” and the title song from the choir’s CD “What Would I Do Without My Music” closing the first half.

The interval gave everyone a chance to have some wine and socialise before the band played again. The choir’s second half songs followed with “Bring Him Home”, “Do You Hear The People Sing” and “I Had A Dream” from “Les Miserables”, then a rendition of a new song to the choir, “Unchained Melody” from the film “Ghost”. The performance was brought to a rousing finish with “The Hartland Anthem” and “Gwahoddiad” with the audience and performers singing together that great hymn “Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer”. It was a pleasant way to spend a summer’s evening and an event the choir and band hope to continue.
 

Linda Atherton July 2010

May 2010

High Street Methodist Church, Bideford. 15th May 2010, 07:30 PM

It was one of those warm, sunny, late spring evenings, when singing in the community seems the most natural thing to do. A cheerful and well prepared Bideford Town Band joined the Choir for a “Last Night of the Proms” concert, full of nationalistic songs and music, to perform at The Methodist Church in Bideford’s High Street. An audience of 123, occupying the lower seats and upper gallery, enjoyed a sparkling concert in this wonderful church building beautifully bedecked with flags from many nations. 

It was a full programme with the Choir and Band alternating performances. The Choir’s songs, lead by Philip Pester and accompanied by Philip Price, included When The Saints, Softly As I Leave You, Walk Away, Nessun Dorma, Let There Be Peace On Earth, You Raise Me Up, My Heart Will Go On and What Would I Do Without My Music in their two sessions of the first half. The acoustics of the church brought out the best in voices and the Choir performed really well.

The second half saw the Choir sing three songs from Les Miserables – Bring Him Home, Do You Hear The People Sing and I Dreamed a Dream, and ended with an impromptu Little White Town. The Band played 11 tunes during the concert, ending appropriately with “Let’s Face The Music and Dance”, as the evening moved into the audience participation finale. This was The Last Night of the Proms, Bideford Style! 

Proud and historic family recollections were brought to mind as everyone sang It’s A Long Way to Tipperary, I’m Henry The Eighth, The White Cliffs of Dover and Pack Up Your Troubles. The Choir continued with “proms” favourites, starting with Rule Britannia, with the audience enjoying flag-waving and singing choruses. It was a real delight to participate in this flurry of joyous and indefensible patriotism, which the audience enjoyed immensely. It continued gloriously with Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and a rousing anthem of God Save The Queen. 

The pleasure of the event was clear to see on the faces of everyone singing, and to hear echoing around this magnificent church. Almost £630 was raised for the choir and band. What a wonderful evening, and certainly one to reprise.

Linda Atherton May 2010

Emmanuel Church Ilfracombe, 5th May 2010, 08:15 PM

In August 1796 the “Sturdy Beggar” left Bristol en route to Dublin, with two Irish Methodist preachers, Adam Averell and Matthias Joyce, on board. A fierce storm blew up forcing the ship to shelter at Ilfracombe, where Averell heard a voice in a dream telling him to preach in the town. This impelled them both to start preaching, and is the earliest record of Methodist preaching in the town. Emmanuel Church continues the Methodist tradition, and holds regular music concerts to raise money for upkeep and charities.

The Choir is delighted to sing at the church twice a year, our most recent performance giving a programme of Gwahoddiad, Bring Him Home, Do You hear The People Sing, I Dreamed A Dream, Pedro The Fisherman, Jamaica Farewell, You Raise Me Up, My Heart Will Go On and Nessun Dorma in the first half. After a break for refreshments, the Choir continued with When The Saints, Softly As I Leave You, Walk Away, Bring Back The Beguine, I Believe, Let There Be Peace On Earth, What Would I Do Without My Music, and finally the rousing Morte Criste, with the audience joining in. Philip Price performed as our guest with two well received pieces ‘Dreaming in F’ by Schumann and ‘Impromptu in E Flat’ by Schubert. A good attendance provided proceeds to swell the church roof fund and it was a delight to perform at this popular venue once again.



Linda Atherton May 2010

April 2010

Woolsery Methodist Church, 18th April 2010, 7:30 PM

Ginnie Pearson, Minister of the Methodist Church in Hartland, congratulated the Choir on a concert very well performed, and the church was full. With confusion about the start time, some members of the choir arrived early, but our stalwarts never wanting to waste an opportunity, took advantage and indulged a pre concert drink at the local pub. 

The programme included the hymn “Immortal, Invisible” followed by three songs from the Choir, from “Les Miserables”. The mood of the music changed with “Pedro The Fisherman” followed by “You Raise Me Up”. Philip Price (accompanist) then did a solo of Beethoven’s Minuet in G. The Choir continued with “When The Saints”, “My Heart Will Go On”, “Gwahoddiad” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. 

At an interval Heather Alford beautifully sang the Bette Midler classic ‘From A Distance’ while accompanying herself on a guitar. Then the service continued and everyone sang the hymn “Thine Be The Glory” before the Choir took to song again. “Softly As I Leave You” and “Walk Away” were followed by “What Would I Do Without My Music” and the hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful”. Philip Price’s second solo followed, with Debussy’s Arabesque in E. The Choir ended their performance with “Jamaica Farewell”, “The Hartland Anthem” and “Nessun Dorma”. A popular concert very well attended and enjoyed by everyone who came along.
 

Linda Atherton Apr 2010

Woodford Methodist Church, Morwenstow, 2nd April 2010, 07:30 PM

Good Friday and the spring weather had just broken through during the afternoon, following typical April showers in the morning – a good time of year for a Methodist Church concert, which the Choir was delighted to perform at Woodford. The service with hymns and prayers to celebrate the Church 127th anniversary (23 March 1883) was lead by Mrs Ginnie Pearson, while our concert MD was Philip Pester and accompanist Philip Price.

It was a very full programme enjoyed by a large congregation beginning with a hymn, then the Choir rendered three songs from Les Miserables – Bring Him Home, Do You Hear The People Sing and I Dreamed a Dream. This popular choice was followed with a change of mood for Bring Back The Beguine, the heartwarming You Raise Me Up and the title song from the Choir’s new CD, What Would I Do Without My Music. The audience enjoyed When The Saints Go Marching In - with it’s climactic choral finish. This was followed by a hymn, then the choir continued with My Heart Will Go On, followed by Gwahoddiad and Jamaica Farewell – giving Gerald a chance to get his maracas out! Then a quieter pace for the Matt Munro songs Softly As I Leave You and Walk Away, followed by let There Be Peace On Earth. 

There followed an address given by Ginnie Pearson, and the Choir continued into the last session. It’s always fun doing Pedro The Fisherman, and on this sea theme, The Hartland Anthem followed, and then a dramatic finale of Nessan Dorma. The service ended with a hymn and a prayer, followed by supper and an opportunity to relax, chat, meet and greet our hosts. A busy night for the Choir and a much appreciated one by the Easter audience.
 

Linda Atherton Apr 2010

March 2010

“Vaguely Celtic” Charity Concert, Kingsley School Theatre, Bideford - 31st March 2010, 07:30 PM,

This charity concert was designed to be energetic and colourful, with the Choir sharing the bill with several other musical acts. These included The Bideford Youth Pipe Band, The North Devon Pipes & Drums, folk group Firewater, Connor Gould and Tony Dixon, combining their talents to raise cash for The Mayor’s Fund (Chestnut Appeal) and the Bideford Youth Pipe Band’s forthcoming 2011 trip to America.

The Little White Town, a song all about Bideford, was the first sung by the Choir, followed by Matt Munro’s Walk Away and the ever-popular Let There Be Peace On Earth.  The programme continued with Nessan Dorma, What Would I Do Without My Music and My Heart Will Go On. A rousing finish with the audience clapping time to When The Saints Go Marching In brought the Choir’s contribution to a close.

It was a somewhat unusual experience for the Choir to have a venue with a well stocked bar, quiche and chocolate cake! Congratulations to our two new members, Eric Clements and Paul Summers, who enjoyed their first public concert and hopefully won’t think the food and bar are regular at all our venues!
 

Linda Atherton Mar 2010

February 2010

AGM, Woolsery Hall - 16th Feb. 2010, 08:00 PM

The Choir held an uneventful AGM in the Woolsery community hall, minutes and reports, all were read then accepted. The election of officials was taken as a majority block vote, with one exception - Nigel Alford relinquished 1st Tenor Section Leader in favour of joint appointees Jim Wood and Jim Ashman. Therefore our senior officials for the coming year are;


- Chairman        -  Derek Gale
- Secretary       -  Philip Pester
- Treasurer       -  Bill Abbott
- Musical Director   -  Philip Pester
- Concert Manager  -  Mervyn Langmead


The meeting closed at 09:30 PM

January 2010

Annual Dinner Hartland Quay - 16th Jan 2010

This year the Choir’s Annual Christmas Dinner was held at The Hartland Quay Hotel, an interesting local venue, steeped in history. The main building has been a hotel since 1886, but in days gone by it has been, amongst other things, a bank and an oast house, and the main bar was once stables. Above the bar were the corn and hay lofts, which are now bedrooms. It is owned by the Stucley Family of Hartland Abbey and has been run by the Johns Family for the last 40 years.

The Choir was given a warm welcome as we crowded the intimate bar area, stashed with nautical pictures and memorabilia of the sea. After chatting and drinks, we made our way to the character dining room to be served from 3 choices for each course of our meal. Popular selections were traditional turkey dinner and local Devon beef. After the meal came the well planned raffle, with almost as many prizes as takers! Chairman Derek Gale then made a short speech and it was very pleasing to hear that during the year the Choir’s concerts had contributed to raising £7,844 for various charities. The much awaited result of the Attendance Prize Winner trophy was announced, and Trevor Hughes-Williams collected the coveted shield, beating Charlie Man by just one point.

We all returned to the bar and were joined by a group of young men from various parts of the country visiting the area for a local shoot. They kindly contributed to our collection for the Haiti Disaster Fund, which raised £60 with a further generous donation of £40 from one of the choir members. The Choir kindly thanked the visitors with a round of favourite songs, which was much appreciated, and they responded with their own version of “Jerusalem”!
The Choir offered a beautifully decorative doll for auction, to add to the Fund, and the kindness of our visitors realised a price of – wait for it – £200! It rounded off a very successful evening and was a great start to 2010.

Linda Atherton Jan 2010