The Springtime Tea Concert, held recently at St James’ Church Hall, certainly hit the right note – both literally and metaphorically.
Members of the Rotherham u3a Choir, Alive and Singing, were at their tuneful best. The mood was relaxed and happy, and the tea-time spread of sandwiches and cakes provided the perfect ending to a memorable afternoon.
The programme spanned the past century, with a salute to the genius of 18th-century Mozart en-route. Mad About Mozart, Rentz’s chorale arrangement of Mozart’s 40th Symphony, is a fast-moving, tongue-twisting, and humorous tribute to the master, delivered with panache to a delighted audience.
From the opening notes of Oscar Peterson’s moving Hymn to Freedom, the choir deftly led the audience on an enjoyable journey down memory lane, capturing the essence of each era from the 1930s to the present day. The rousing finale, World War Two Melodies, was a timely reminder of the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the resilience of the human spirit – come what may.
Even in the hardest of times, singing relaxes tension, reduces stress, and lifts the spirits. Research confirms its benefits to both physical and mental health. Furthermore, singing in a group magnifies these effects, while also providing opportunities to meet others and form new friendships.
The choir meets each Wednesday between 10.00am and 12.00pm. Everyone is welcome to go along and sing with the choir once or twice before deciding whether to join.
For more information, contact rotherham.u3asite.uk, click on the Groups link, then Choir, or call 07359 778361.