Choral Society concert brings season to an end

Conductor Elaine Hawthorne and accompanist Gwen Dick were ably supported by compere for the evening Robin Clinton, who kept the programme moving along with brief introductions for the choir’s pieces along with some personal anecdotes and occasional jokes.

The theme of the evening was Songs from the Deep South and Songs from the Shows, and the concert opened with the Madrigal Let the Song begin. Michelle McIlwaine (soprano) then demonstrated great versatility in her interpretations of Some Enchanted Evening, Love is a Many Splendoured Thing, and A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square. The choir then treated the audience to Gentle Annie, the rousing Camptown Races/Ring the Banj’, (which required choir member Elaine Bell to join Gwen in a four-hands accompaniment) followed by a change in tempo to Beautiful Dreamer.

Ami Ogilby (flute) then presented two expertly-executed pieces, Think of Me from The Phantom of the Opera followed by the technically challenging Tico, Tico.

The first half of the evening was completed by the choir singing My Lord what a morning, the haunting American Trilogy and the foot-tapping Dry Bones.

Following a short interval - during which Christine Brennan played several pieces on the traditional harp - Michelle McIlwaine gave a beautiful rendition of Somewhere from West Side Story and the ever popular Over the Rainbow. Two pieces from the choir then followed, Hail Holy Queen and the reflective Ashokan Farewell.

Ami Ogilby (flute) completed her solo with two pieces from West Side Story, Whistle Down the Wind followed by the frenetic America.

The choir slowed the tempo with Time to say Goodbye, following which Robin Clinton demonstrated his mastery of the cornet in his splendid solo The Way We Were. Elaine and Gwen gave an impromptu piano duet of Alexander’s Rag-Time Band and the choir then closed the evening with One Day More from Les Miserables.

This was an entertaining and enjoyable event, and a great depth and variety of musical ability and skill was evident throughout the evening.

Larne Choral Society is actively seeking additional members, and anyone interested in joining should contact Elaine (Tel: 9335 3535), Helen (2853 8693) or Catherine (9337 2567).