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.

 

 

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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

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'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

 

 

A capacity audience enjoyed an evening devoted to music of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The programme was shared between Braintree Male Voice Choir and Swing Express Big Band. Chaired by Nick Minton music alternated with the choir singing selections from the era, including 'A Nightingale sang In Berkeley Square', We'll Gather Lilacs', and 'Alexander's Ragtime Band'. They concluded with a medley entitled 'Kings of Swing' with the music of Cole Porter, Fats Waller, Glenn Miller and Harry Warren. Swing Express Big Band provided all the elements needed to portray the music of the day. Formed in 2001, the band comprises a mix of professional and semi-professional musicians. Their leader Mario Di Pietro, the son of a well known variety artiste, played the trombone professionally until 10 years ago. He provided the backing for artists including 'The Supremes', Matt Monro and Guy Mitchell and played with bands including those of Harry Leader and Frank Weir. Anyone who cruised may have seen him on the liner 'Canberra' where he was a frequent performer. The band played an excellent selection of musical compositions by George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, Irving Berlin, Glenn Miller and Cole Porter to name but a few. Their MC, Norwood Simpson, as well as introducing their programme and being an accomplished trumpet player, also sang to their renditions of 'Have You Met Miss Jones?' and 'Ain't That A Kick In The Head'. John Malem, another trumpet player, gave an exquisite performance of 'You Made Me Love You' and the band concluded with an arrangement of the Goodman/Wood/Sampson composition of 'Flying Home'.   Some choir and band members during the interval

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Charity Concert - March 10 2007

Photo : Ann Payne. Northampton

The Northampton Male Voice Choir and BBC presenter Richard Spendlove MBE, were the choir's guests at a special concert to raise money for the Christ Church development fund on Saturday March 10. Richard took a night off from his normal Saturday evening programme that is transmitted throughout the East Anglian region and gave his time free to talk about his life experiences, both as a stationmaster and his latesr career as a radio presenter. The two choirs sang separately and then joined forces (above) for two rousing numbers, Morte Christe and Gwahoddiad. The event raised more than £2,000 for the Christ Church fund.

 

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Last Night of the Proms' Concert - May 13th 2006

 

The Essex Police Band - conducted by Keith Manners

 

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.