Choir storms to concert triumph
June 21: The choir scored a stunning triumph with its part in the two-choirs concert at Croydon Minster on Saturday June 18.
It sang two scintillating sets and won resounding applause and widespread praise from its concert partners in the Croydon Philharmonic Choir. CMVC music director Roger Pinsent said it was the best concert he had conducted in his four years with the choir.
Roger Pinsent leads CMVC to concert triumph (photo: Leni Gillman)
The long-awaited concert featured Croydon’s two leading choirs, the Croydon Philharmonic and the CMVC. Each sang a 20-minute set in both halves, then came together from a thrilling climax with renditions of You’ll Never Walk Alone, conducted by Roger Pinsent, and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, conducted at a stirring pace by CPC MD David Gibson.
Highlight of the CMVC performance, as expressed by numerous audience members, was its Go Down Moses, sung a capella. For the Croydon Phil, it was the affecting medley of songs from West Side Story, its final piece in the second half.
MD's David Gibson (left) and Roger Pinsent bask in post-concert praise
After the concert CMVC repaired to the nearby Royal Standard for further singing après-style. Those taking part included the four CMVC members who also belong to the Croydon Phil and thus sang the entire concert repertoire, namely Tony Keel, Dick Jones, Roger Parkinson and Peter Gillman. CMVC’s Sam Davenport also sang with Croydon Phil and took solo parts in the West Side Story selection.
MD Roger Pinsent later said that he was astonished that the dual members should want to continue singing during the après but they responded that it made the perfect end to a brilliant concert evening.
CLICK ON THESE LINKS TO SEE US SINGING YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE AND THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS
Recordings made by Shirley Scott