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 REVIEW
1 -
"The
St George's Day Concert at St Paul's, Blackheath took on special
significance for Carol Ann and I as we have recently become British
citizens. It was a great evening in front of a full church. It was a
privilege to have The Langley Band and Hilary Barrett to perform with us
Langley
band performed brilliantly on the night. My personal favourites were
Bohemian Rhapsody and Benedictus. The band also combined musical talent
and humour in a very creative ensemble from Mary Poppins.
Hilary was
in top form with beautiful renditions of Scarborough Fair and Love
Changes everything (accompanied by the band)
For Voices
in Harmony, I really enjoyed our performance of Agnus Dei.
The final
section 'The Proms' was fantastic with the roof almost
lifted off its foundation by the robust singing of everyone in the
church to such songs as Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory."
Brent
Greiner
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REVIEW 2 -
"Another triumph for St George……..
and not a dragon in sight! The choir’s annual
English-fest was held on 19 April at St Paul’s Church in Blackheath – a
Parish church of Gothic proportions and it was comfortably full.
Guesting with us were the Langley Band and our
long-standing friend Hilary Barrett both of whom were on top form.
Feedback received immediately afterwards confirmed
that the night was an extremely enjoyable event most noteworthy being
the variety of styles and presentation.
The Band’s contribution was in their inimitable
style and included such diverse offerings as the ‘fun piece’ Sandpaper
ballet by Leroy Anderson and the wonderfully executed
Elsa’s Procession by Wagner…… which is the kind of music
which makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck! They also paid
tribute to Freddy Mercury with a stylish rendition of Bohemian
Rhapsody -Lovely too was a haunting Euphonium solo adapted from
Karl Jenkins – The Armed Man ; A Mass for Peace – Benedictus
another spine tingler!
Hilary brought us a couple of Lloyd Webber
favourites - Memories and Love Changes everything as well
as the ever popular song from My Fair Lady – I could have
danced all night and the oh so quintessentially English
Scarborough Fair
The Choir made a stunning entrance with ‘Gloria’
by Vivaldi which in that setting was a brilliant choice. Then
followed the eclectic mix of songs – Pop Gospel and Classical for which
the Choir has become associated. Getting its first outing was the
haunting Beatle’s classic ‘Hey Jude’ which was pleasurable to
sing and to listen too. In a more serious mood we also drew on the
Karl Jenkins Mass for Peace with the lovely melody Agnus
Dei. Other offerings included an exclusive arrangement of the
pop-classic Words forever associated with the Bee Gees.
First half proceedings were brought to a suitable
end with combined Band Choir and soloist performing The Hallelujah
Chorus from Handel’s Messiah and we all joined together again
in the Finale for the traditional Proms Style finish with Jerusalem
, Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia! (with
Hilary resplendent in a cloak of Union Flag proportions!) This after
the Band had brought us the wonderful Nimrod from Enigma
Variations by Elgar (You don’t get more English than that!)
All in all a wonderful evening of celebration and
music-making of first class quality to mark our very own National Day."
David Hayward
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