Renowned choir wows the Guildhall

The Genevans, the choir of Geneva College, Beaver Falls, western Pennsylvania, are used to playing famous venues alongside such famous names as the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra but this past weekend they were singing in two venues in the north-west.

On Saturday, May 15, the Alley Theatre, Strabane was well filled for an excellent performance of their broad and varied repertoire, reflecting their belief that "all of life, always and everywhere, is life in the presence of God."

For them, music, as one of God's finest gifts, meets a deep, universal need in people.

Their pieces included "Moon River," written by Henry Mancini, who also came from western Pennsylvania, "The Nightingale", by Felix Mendelssohn, and various renderings of the Psalms.

A light-hearted and amusing touch was brought by the Eight Bells Barber Shop octet. The Grace Notes, a woman's sextet, gave (as their name suggests) a graceful rendering of such numbers as "Sommertime" and "Stormy Weather."

On Sunday evening a large gathering in the Guildhall were invited to join in with the choir in singing a selection of Psalms. The theme, "A Life Worth Living - a message of HOPE from the book of Psalms," was introduced by Rev Blair McFarland, minister of Bready Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Rev Mark Loughridge from New Life Fellowship, Letterkenny gave a short address, encouraging us to find a sure hope through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Familiar pieces such as "God is our refuge and our strength" and "The LORD'S my shepherd" were sung.

The choir continues its tour of Europe with performances in Iona Abbey, St Gilles Cathedral (Edinburgh), Durham Cathedral and All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.