Ryesingers, after working hard, practising under the founding conductor Lesley Brownhill’s tough love leadership, delivered a lovely concert last Saturday, February 27, called “A Night to Remember”.
The choir has been singing for 45 years and their concert included madrigals, Coleman’s “Rhythm of Life”, folk songs, Hungarian tunes, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square”, as well as songs from “Iolanthe” and “Pirates of Penzance” by Gilbert and Sullivan.
Several splendid solos were performed by Ann Whiteman, Jonathan Breeds, Lesley Moore, Richard Moore, Dennis Farnesworth and Carol Osborne. The accompaniest was Richard Eldridge. Taking part in the concert were seven original members of the choir.
There was also an exhibition of past photographs and certificates over which choir members were heard to exclaim:”Did I really look like this?” Following the wonderful celebration of the choir’s achievements, there was a party with a tremendous array of superb food, generously provided by the choir members.
Ryesingers next concert will be in July, including works by Purcell, Vaughan Williams and Holst. Try not to miss this latest offering of lovely music impeccably performed.
(A note from our Culture correspondent and also Ryesingers member Heidi Foster: I would like to add that the Community Centre is not an easy venue, with difficult acoustics, but the feedback from the audience after the concert was very positive and said they enjoyed it very much. I love being part of the choir though it is hard work and am in awe of the soloists in the choir who have the courage to perform in front of a room full of people).
Photo: Ray Prewer