Print

A tale of two choirs

JULY 15: The Croydon choir closed its 2018-19 season with a brilliant summer/patrons’ concert at Emmanuel Church, South Croydon, on Saturday.  Along with the CMVC’s three sets of songs, the enthusiastic audience was treated to a delightful contribution by the Surrey Fringe, the Guildford barbershop chorus whose director is Roger Pinsent – also music director to CMVC.

Roger Pinsent conducts the Surrey Fringe (photo JWT)

CMVC sang eleven songs in total, the Surrey Fringe nine, in two sets.  CMVC began with the spiritual Go Down Moses and ended with Guardian Angel.  It also presenting the latest addition to its repertoire, the stirring Anthem from the musical Chess. 

Highlights from the Surrey Fringe included When I’m 64, Pretty Woman, and Ain’t Misbehaving.  With the two distinctive styles complementing each other, the choirs combined for an encore consisting of the rondo Dona Nobis Pacem, which received an ovation.

Roger warms up both choirs (photo Leni Gillman)

As dual music director, Roger Pinsent had to switch between both two musical styles and two conductor’s jackets, swapping his white DJ (CMVC) for a glitzy waistcoat to match those worn by the Surrey Fringe. He said afterwards that it had been an interesting experience, moving between “the more classical conducting style” with CMVC and the Surrey Fringe, “where I tend to jig about more.”  Overall, the concert “was a fine showing and a nice way to round off the year”.

Roger buttons up THAT waistcoat (photo JWT)

The two choirs were thanked by Emmanuel's verger, Gordon MacCaullum, who said it had been a brilliant evening “which touched the soul”.

The concert marked the end of Roger’s first year as CMVC music director, following the long tenure of the previous incumbent, Richard Hoyle.  Choir chair Kim Ormond commented: “Thanks to Roger for a great year, hard work but extremely rewarding.”

Roger conducts CMVC (photo Leni Gillman)

The choir has now embarked on its summer break, and rehearsals resume on Thursday 5 September. The choir is singing at Southwark Cathedral on Saturday 28 September (starting at midday) and its first concert is at St Martin’s, Brasted on Saturday 12 October.