On Saturday 4th July, Mansfield Choral Society, under the direction of Diane Haslam, celebrated the 250th anniversary of American independence with a concert of all-American music in front of a capacity audience in the beautiful baronial hall of Queen Elizabeth’s Academy.
The programme highlighted several different American musical traditions, including contemporary choral masterpieces, old American hymns and folk music, spirituals and much-loved musical theatre favourites. Composers included Eric Whitacre, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Billy Joel. A medley of show tunes by Rodgers and Hammerstein had the audience singing along, and they also added their voices to the final number of the evening, supporting the choir in the final chorus of a Dixieland jazz version of When the Saints Go Marchin’ In. Clarinettist Sunil Vidhani added further interest with some lively jazz clarinet playing.
Guest soloists soprano Abby Wells and baritone Will Burn enchanted the audience with songs by Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Weill, Meredith Willson and George Gershwin. Together they brought the house down with a hilarious rendition of the well-known duet from Annie Get Your Gun, Anything You Can Do. The choir demonstrated its blend and togetherness in a cappella pieces including the spiritual I’ll Fly Away, arranged by the musical director, and the Billy Joel classic And So It Goes. For the remainder of the evening, the singers were supported by accompanist Stuart Ellis and joined by percussionist Ben Hewlett Davies.
Following the successful summer concert, plans are already underway for the society’s traditional Christmas concert. Before then, members are looking forward to a well-earned summer break. Rehearsals resume on Thursday 3rd September, and new members are always welcome. Whether experienced singers or completely new to choral singing, anyone interested is encouraged to go along. Rehearsals take place at Ladybrook Community Centre, Ladybrook Lane, Mansfield, where a warm welcome awaits all prospective members. Find out more at www.mansfieldchoral.org.