The choir, along with Carlton Male Voice Choir were invited to participate in the 70th Anniversary Celebration Gala Concert for our friends Bestwood Male Voice choir at the wonderful Albert Hall in Nottingham.
The guest artiste was the magnificently talented Jeneba Kenneh–Mason a 19-year-old pianist from the famous Nottingham musical family. Not only was Jenebah simply electric with her skill, she mesmerised the audience, particularly
with Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody, into well-deserved standing ovations after her two appearances during the lovely Sunday afternoon event.
Innovation abounded as the three choirs performed both separately in the first half introducing songs which are new to the canon of male voice standards including ‘Shine”, “Our House”, Gonna Rise Up Singing”, “Heart of Gold” “Wind Beneath My Wings”, and a fabulous sea shanty called “Wellerman” performed by Bestwood MVC.
The second half was performed jointly as a massed choir and delivered superb performances of contrasting songs ranging from the most powerful ‘Llanfair’ where we were joined by the skilled organist David Butterworth, to the haunting ‘What would I do without my music’.
There is no doubt that the friendship between these three choirs is palpable with MD’s and accompanists supporting each other and the massed choirs readily and accurately following the differing interpretations of the songs required by each MD. This made for a wonderful afternoon and a worthy celebration of the 70-year history of Bestwood MVC.
We must add our congratulations to two of our choristers who have been long standing friends and who joined the choir after the infamous Covid lockdown. Tony O’Connor (1st Tenor), on left in the photograph and Andy Marsh (Baritone) performed in their debut concert with professionalism and joy. That’s what it’s all about – well done gentlemen.
It was a very enjoyable day, and a very appreciative audience. Well done to Andy and Tony and hopefully just the start to many more performances.