Music fans at a packed St Mary’s Church enjoyed a spring concert from the Marsh Choir last Saturday evening. Led by Carly Bryant, the Marsh Choir is a network of local choirs across Kent and East Sussex. The Rye group, which performed on the night, was founded six years ago and currently has over 80 singers.
Before the concert, Vicki Stenzhorn, from Rye, explained why she enjoyed being a member of the choir. “It’s a privilege to represent Rye and to share our songs with the community. This is our first time performing at St Mary’s since our appearance at the Rye Arts Festival last September, so we’re really looking forward to it.
“Tonight’s programme is a real mixture. One of my favourites is This Year’s Love by David Gray: it’s a lovely ballad and showcases our different voices so well. Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance is a rollercoaster of a song. It divided opinion when Carly first announced it to the group, but she always wanted to perform it in a church. And Mozart’s Lacrimosa may indeed bring a tear to the eye.
“Our choir director Carly Bryant brings a wonderful positive energy to our rehearsal sessions, and you’ll definitely experience that tonight!”
We certainly did: it was an evening of joyous delight. During the concert, Carly emphasised how singing benefits both mental and physical health by releasing serotonin and dopamine, and providing aerobic exercise. By the end of the evening, both choir and audience left the church physically and emotionally refreshed.
The evening’s concert included arrangements of the following pieces:
Bad Romance (Lady Gaga): “I want your everything as long as it’s free” got the concert off to a great start and was a real wild ride.
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (Scott and Russell, made famous by The Hollies): This was a gorgeous, moving arrangement that soared.
Bennie and the Jets (Elton John): Carly’s favourite Elton John song, which she used to sing in the car as a child, harmonising with her sister and fantasising about forming bands with imaginary characters.
Goin’ Back (Goffin and King, a hit for Dusty Springfield): As the choir sang “A little bit of freedom’s all we lack”, this perfectly captured the reminiscence of childhood.
This Year’s Love (David Gray): The choir’s rich rendition enhanced the original, stripped-back version that appeared on the White Ladder album.
That’s Not My Name (The Ting Tings): Carly’s intricate arrangement of interlocking vocal parts was a big hit with the audience. According to Carly, this piece had never been arranged for choir before, so we may have been treated to a world premiere of her arrangement, which is now selling in the US and Europe.
Pink Pony Club (Chappell Roan): Where else would you experience a concert that has this and Mozart on the same programme?
Help! (Lennon–McCartney): The Beatles reimagined: a gorgeous, haunting balladic version of one of the band’s mid-career hits.
Country Roads (John Denver): This was such a jaunty version of a favourite often heard at open-mic nights at Rye’s Queen’s Head.
Lacrimosa (Mozart): Rock me, Amadeus! With a four-on-the-floor beat, the choir’s interpretation was a fitting finale for a wonderful performance from the flock that rocks.
Donations from concert-goers will go to the Pegasus Playscheme. Pegasus provides activities for children with disabilities during the long summer holidays. The charity is close to Carly’s heart: last summer, her daughter enjoyed coach trips, rode a speedboat, experienced rock climbing, and made new friends. The charity also provides volunteering opportunities for local teenagers, who offer support and encouragement to each child – and benefit themselves from the charity’s “no screens” policy, leaving their phones behind at the start of each day.
For details of upcoming concerts or to find out about joining the choir, visit https://www.marshchoir.com/
Image Credits: Jeff Grice .