A Selly-bration of music!
Christ Church Selly Park Saturday 20th April 2024
Having travelled 140 miles to see the Selly Park Singers perform on 20th April, I was expecting great things – and I was not disappointed!
In all honestly, I was really in it for The Carpenters and John Denver when I was told about the programme. However, the opening song, ‘The Power of Music’ – a rousing and challenging four section composition by Dennis Pim- bowled me over with its combination of exquisite harmonies and technical excellence. This was followed by a hauntingly beautiful arrangement based on a Rossetti poem which genuinely brought tears to my eyes.
‘The Power of Music’ – a rousing and challenging four section composition by Dennis Pim- bowled me over with its combination of exquisite harmonies and technical excellence.
Next, we were treated to some Elgar, but not the Elgar that I am used to. These were four of his songs from the Bavarian Highlands. It was during these that I really appreciated the choir’s talented accompanist, Dick Price. His solo at the beginning of Lullaby was very impressive indeed!
Breaking up the choir’s performance were additional contributions from Sandy Cresswell’s ‘Sandy Band’, which gave the chance for audience participation (I didn’t need asking twice!) and Lynn Davies’ jazz journey – what a talent!
The three songs that had originally been arranged for weddings are all long-time favourites of mine: Andrew Lloyd-Webber, The Carpenters and John Denver. However, these innovative choral arrangements gave the songs a level of sophistication that I had not expected.
The final section of the concert consisted of something more traditional. A delightful ballad called ‘The Farmer’s Boy’ that I did not know and the classic ‘Green Grow the Rushes, O’. The latter piece, which brought the concert to a close, was absolutely incredible with its changes of tempo and key and its self-titled ‘muddle’ towards the end. It’s final note, which I believe was an eight-part chord gave me chills and certainly left me wanting more.
It’s final note, which I believe was an eight-part chord gave me chills and certainly left me wanting more.
Would I travel from Surrey to Selly Park again? I absolutely would! Bravo to all those involved in the concert: the committee, their talented director, Paul Carr, and the amazing singers themselves. You truly were sensational!
Ann Day