Halesworth Festival Voices ended 2010 with some seasonal contributions to the town’s music making. In the first event of what may turn out to be an annual fixture, HFV joined the Halesworth Community Choir in a ‘Christmas Is Coming’ concert at The Cut on the first Sunday of December.
The choirs performed separate items in their own styles and joined together to sing carols with the enthusiastic audience, who turned up in big numbers and raised their voices to the rafters.
HFV opened the concert with a selection of international folk songs all arranged by their conductor, Ian Humphris. Sarah Kemp was the featured soprano soloist in the American folk song I Wonder As I Wander, and the Voices closed their first set with the rousing chorus Carnival by Rossini.
Bridget Cousins and the Community Choir took the stage for five songs from far and wide, each in a different language. After the interval everyone took part in the singing of Standing In The Rain by Sidney Carter, to the guitar accompaniment of Ian Humphris. This necessitated a short rehearsal of the song’s chorus but the audience picked it up in no time. The verses were shared between soloists from both choirs.
The choirs sang more songs from their contrasting repertoires, separated by popular carols for all.
The friendly joining together of both Halesworth choirs was a musical success that showed the range of opportunities to sing in our town, and both choirs are delighted to welcome new singers. There are no auditions. Just turn up and join in the enjoyment of singing together.
The Community Choir’s next concert will be at The Cut on Sunday 17th April 2011. Bridget Cousins would like to hear from interested singers on 01502 468178.
HFV will perform a concert that includes ‘Spring’ from Haydn’s The Seasons on Sunday 15th May 2011 at St Mary’s Church. Ability to read music helpful but we provide CDs to learn from.
Rehearsals begin on Monday 7th February 2011 at the United Reformed Church beginning at 7.15 pm. Contact Dorothy Frost 01986 873202 for information about the Voices, who will of course be performing a major choral concert in the Halesworth Arts Festival in October 2011.
