Braintree Male Voice Choir
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Concert at the Hawthorns Retirement Village on 3 December 2011 An almost full contingent of the choir gave a performance of the Christmas 2011 repertoire to the residents. The choir had invited some guest performers and choir members to perform solo items during the programme. Roxanne Mashadi, 15 years old, played the harp brilliantly, with 3 pieces, including a seasonal offering of 'Walking in the air'. John Walker gave us another superb monologue befitting the time of year - 'the 4 wise men' ? We were finally treated to Rob Humphries own composition for Christmas, 'the holly and the hawthorns' (provisional title) - next year's Christmas No.1 perhaps, in which he sang and played the piano and was accompanied by Daisie Heath on the cello. We spoke to a number of the residents afterwards and they all said how much they had enjoyed the concert. Sheila Sorrell (Bernard's partner) took the photos.
The choir concluded the summer term 2010 with a series of concerts in aid of a number of organisations: 20 March, A concert with the Para Band at St Botolph's Church, Colchester, raised £2,000 for Headway Essex, the charity that works to improve life after brain injury 24 April, for Finchingfield Church Organ Fund: £190 8 May, for Friends of Shalford Church: £450 19 June, St Peter's Church, Bocking: £474 On 31 July the choir was invited to sing at the wedding of Sophie Hall and Gareth Evans in Great Easton 'Broadway Comes To Braintree' Concert - 10 May 2008
Playing to a near capacity audience this was an event filled with nostalgia. The choir's guests were the dynamic Colchester Band under the leadership of their musical director Peter Ivey. The programme followed its customary format of alternating selections by the band with those sung by the choir. Colchester Band was formerly known as the Colchester Silver Band until its name changed in 2005. It gained championship status in local and national competitions in the 1990s and now performs regularly at events around the country. Peter Ivey took over from Robert Howard as Musical Director in 2006. A highly accomplished musician he is a member of the London based Aurelian Orchestra, leader of the Colchester Philarmonic and Bach Orchestras and plays violin with the Kreisler Trio. The choir's programme included melodies such as the 'Riff Song' from 'The Desert Song' 1926 by Sigmund Romberg arr. Alan Simmons, and 'There is Nothng Like a Dame' from 'South Pacific' 1949 by Rodgers and Hammerstein arr. William Stickles.This was followed by excerpts from recent shows such as a medley from 'Oliver' 1963 by Lionel Bart arr Alan Simmons,' I Dreamed a Dream' from 'Les Miserables' 1997 by Schonberg arr. Gwyn Arch, and an ensemble rendition of 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight?' from 'The Lion King' 1997 by Elton John and Tim Rice arr. Mac Huff. The band's selection included 'I Got Rhythm' from 'Girl Crazy' by George Gershwin arr Alan Fernie, 'My Fair Lady Selection' by Frederick Loewe arr. Alan Fernie, 'Bring Him Home' from' Les Miserables' by Schonberg arr. Keith Wilkinson and 'And All That Jazz' from 'Chicago' by John Kander and Fred Ebb arr. Frank Bernaerts. To round off the band joined with the choir to sing and play 'Thank You For The Music' from 'Mamma Mia' 2001 by Benny Anderson.and Bjorn Ulvaeus arr. Bob Barrett. Band parts arranged by Anne Ruddock.
To read review in the 'Braintree and Witham Times' click here
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Christmas Concert 2007 This was the 28th joint Christmas concert with Bocking Concert Brass and Ken Few, the band's principal conductor has been there for them all The concert was shared equally providing a mix of musical arrangements. Bocking Concert Brass included in their programme arrangements of 'Troika' by Prokofieff, 'St Louis Blues March' by Handy and 'Memory' from the musical 'Cats' by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The choir sang compositions including 'Softly as I Leave You' by A de Vita/H Shaper arranged by Alan Simmons, 'Non Nobis Domine' by Rudyard Kipling/Roger Quilter, and a selection of music with a Christmas theme including 'Little Donkey' and 'O Holy Night'. The finale was the singing of three popular Christmas carols for audience participation with the choir and band which left everyone feeling that the Christmas season had now begun. To read review in the 'Braintree and Witham Times' click here
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Charity Concert - March 10 2007
Last Night of the Proms' Concert - May 13th 2006
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Christ Church was packed when the choir gave their annual Spring concert with this year's guests, The Essex Police Band. The choir was on top form and Simon Beckett's magic from the technical department made sure that pictures on the screen and carefully managed sound added to everyone's enjoyment. Keith Manners led the audience to a rousing conclusion, with over 300 Union Jacks waving from every corner of the church. |
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In the audience was Richard Spendlove MBE, BBC broadcaster and composer of the choir finale piece 'By Cape Trafalgar'. Having decided to picnic on the beach at Cape Trafalgar with friends in February 2002 Richard and his wife had time while their friends went off for a short walk. He decided to walk up to the Cape, overlooking the Atlantic. 35 minutes later he returned to his wife and friends having written the words. It remained a poem until he finally put it to music in 2002. He then had it arranged for Male Voice Choirs and the result was heard at our concert. It was performed against a backdrop of scenes from the battle projected onto a screen behind the choir.
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| Richard Spendlove MBE, with Elisabeth Miller MD | A
very enthusiastic audience |
Christine
Papworth - soloist |
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