The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead

1/7/2010

Junior Choir Prom Handley Stevens

Those of us who stayed on after the excellent lunch provided by Sunday School and Junior Choir parents on Sunday 20 June were treated to a further feast – of music provided by the Junior Choir.  Talullah Wilson, Victoria Scott-Linden and Alex Saikia all gave accomplished solo voice performances of remarkable variety, Evelyn Fitzpatrick and Ann Norman played the piano, whilst Olivia and Bella Carrington, having played viola and cello respectively, also entertained us with a delightful duet.  All these performances, sensitively accompanied by David Moore at the piano, were executed with unflustered composure and a most attractive musicality of line, showcasing the diverse talents of our young choristers.  They provided a deliciously varied filling for the triple-deck sandwich of choral pieces, which rightly offered the main fare.  Drawn from the choir’s growing repertory of anthems and evensong canticles, these were accompanied by Lee Ward at the organ, and delivered from the chancel steps with steady confidence, true pitch and well balanced tone.  Bairstow’s Magnificat in E flat with its joyful Gloria provided a suitably triumphant conclusion.

The generous applause of the small but enthusiastic audience of parents and friends and parishioners paid well deserved tribute to the Choir and their Director David Moore.  The choir has grown steadily in confidence, musicianship and tonal quality under David’s direction over the past two years.  We all look forward to the further development of their talents over the coming year and the valued contribution which they make to our worship.