Mousehole Male Voice Choir, directed by Steve Lawry and accompanied by Annette Turton were delighted to be a part of the biennial Music and Arts Festival at The Church of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady in Penzance on Saturday 18^th May 2024.

The concert opened in style as the choir sang the first of three pieces this evening which were arranged by our musical director Stephen Lawry – “Down In The River To Pray” – as we made our way into the church and onto the stage for our first set. The second piece was an Appalachian folk song “Bright Morning Stars” which was conducted by our deputy conductor David Williams. 

Stephen Lawry returned to conduct the next piece “I Will Rise” in which baritone David Williams accompanied by top tenor Charles Parke and second tenor Graham Warren sang the three vocal solo parts. For this piece David Caredig-Evans played the accompaniment. 

The final piece in the first set was “Like A River In My Soul” which was sponsored by John and Gemma Swan at Pendeen Pottery.

The choir then took a short break while we enjoyed another fine performance by Lois Murray who had previously appeared with us at St. Hilary in April.

Lois opened with “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” by Handel and followed it with Panis Angelicus by Franck. Lois was accompanied by David Caredig-Evans throughout the evening.

The choir then returned to the stage to conclude the first half of the concert with another set of four songs starting with “Fields of Athenry” arranged by our MD. Stephen Lawry.

For our second piece, “Danny Boy”, we were joined by Maureen Trevorrow playing the flute.

We then moved closer to home with “There’s Nothing Like Pilchards” which tells the story of the decline of the once-great Cornish pilchard fishing industry and we finished the set with “Cornwall My Home” by Harry “Safari” Glasson, a popular anthem known and sung throughout our county and beyond. This was the third piece of the evening to be arranged by our MD. Stephen Lawry.

The interval was described in the programme as a “Brief gap for those who didn’t buy a raffle ticket on the way in to get one!” I couldn’t have put it better!

Lois opened the second half with a complete change of style in the form of three Gershwin pieces:

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me”

“Someone To Watch Over Me”

And

“I Got Rhythm”

When the choir were back in position we opened with “Till The Stars Fall From The Sky” which was on its first outing for this year although it has been in our repertoire before and can be found on our CD “Home From The Sea”. This was followed by a lovely arrangement by Noble Cain of “Deep River” and then “Dance With The Storm”, sung in memory of Benedict Findlay.

Lois then joined the choir to sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Richard Rogers and arranged by Alwyn Humphreys. Lois remained on stage while the choir left to sing her last piece of the evening which was the very inspiring “You Raise Me Up” by Rolf Lovland and Brendan Graham.

Then it was time for the final set from the choir, starting with the second Alwyn Humphries arrangement of the evening “Rachie” by Caredog Roberts.

Our next song saw our multi-talented David Caredig-Evans perform vocal solo as we sang “Slow Me Down Lord”.

We rounded off the evening with a rousing rendition of “The Awakening” by Joseph M Martin.

Anyone wanting to hear more from the choir are always welcome to come and listen to our rehearsals on Monday evenings at Paul Church from 7.30pm. That goes double for anyone considering joining the choir!

Our next outings are 

Sunday 26^th May in St Agnes Parish Church from 7.00pm

Sunday 9^th June for our first Harbourside outdoor concert in Mousehole Harbour from 7.00pm

Sunday 23^rd June for our Midsummer Concert in Paul Church starting at 7.30pm.