Now here’s a challenge! Your hard-working reviewer can keep up to date on the adult choir because there are only 8 of them (not, of course, counting all the Deps) but the splendidly produced new Chorister News – more please David! – lists no less than 23 choristers, so, if I falter, or leave out a name – Mums and Dads, please forgive me!
On sidesduty, I had already heard the opening item, the spiritual “Steal away” which sounded lovely from the back of the church, and was an excellent demonstration of how the choir have come on. And we had a solo from a member of the Fitzpatrick Choral Society, Lindsay, too.
The prolific John Rutter came up twice in their programme, starting with the Clare Benediction which meant we could enjoy another Fitzpatrick performance by Louise. And there’s more….!
It’s always a pleasure to hear Victoria Scott Linden, our Head chorister, who’s fulfilling her promise and in O Nata lux by Laurisden, a piece new to me, she was joined by Dominique Daeschner as a very graceful duo.
It took me back to my days at Primary School (no, please, we’re not talking World War I here!) when Roland Fisher sang “The Ash Grove”. He has a very sweet voice, you could hear the words and, goodness me, the last verse was in the original Welsh! And we can’t put that down to having a French Mum!
if Clark Fitzpatrick doesn’t pass his Grade I piano, there’s no justice in this world.
Dominique was back to sing an “Ave Maria” which is a backbone of the choir’s repertoire – but as a solo, which she carried off very well.
Now, here’s an idea. Zirjelle Buckingham sang “Home on the Range” – “Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam…..” I couldn’t help speculating how it would be with buffalo pounding up and down Church Row. Would it affect the property prices? Would they munch in the churchyard? But, really, Zirjelle, I was listening to you!
We have a pianist in the house. Oh yes, we do! Max Bell is only 7 and when it was announced he would play a Sonatina by Clementi, I was surprised. When he started, I sat up, and so did James, who had come in to listen. He did all the ornaments, and all the repeats. Keep going, Max – it’s not far to the Wigmore hall!
Inigo Saikia, after six months on the clarinet, launched into a piece by, I think, somebody Russian, and unaccompanied, with, as they say in the trade, nowhere to hide. It’s sounding good.
Matthew Gardner sang his very first solo. It was called “The Crocodile”. He was accompanied, very well, by Rachel Evans, our lovely first soprano, who teaches him. A big effort from a little boy. And Dad can given him tips on stage deportment!
Abby Jackson’s Bach on the piano reminded me of hearing her practice when I’m watering the flowers, ready for her organ lessons from such an expert player as James. Now I could concentrate with pleasure and enjoy.
Those Fitzpatricks! They just can’t leave music alone! Not only does Evelyn sing and play the piano – she plays the clarinet, for heaven’s sake! Could someone please supply a ballerina next time, as her performance of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy rated one!
And while on the subject of the family what should we have but Lindsay on the piano and Louise singing “I feel pretty” which she is perfectly entitled to do! A true Broadway babe!
Lorenza and Alessandra are sisters, and here they were as Country girls, with Lorenza on guitar, catching the style in “Butterfly fly away”. So there’s another talent we’ve discovered!
I particularly enjoyed Victoria’s solo by my beloved Vivaldi – Dominae Deus from his Gloria. This was a really grown-up effort and I do hope Victoria will carry on with her singing. There’s real potential here.
Rutter’s “The Lord Bless you and keep you” is a popular piece at the church. I’ve heard it sung at at least two weddings. And it was a nice wish from the choristers to us.
And, finally, the choristers swung it with “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square”. I have to say it would have a job to be heard now with all that traffic, but I’m sure it’s there somewhere, singing along with our choristers!
Junior Choir Prom
Suzanne Pinkerton