While west Cornwall seemed to be under a cloudy sky, the warmth generated by both Choir and soloist thoroughly entertained a receptive and appreciative audience.

The proceedings started with the Choir entering the Church singing the spiritual "Down In The River To Pray", and the rest of our first set was the Welsh hymn tune "Rachie"; another spiritual, "Deep River" and a number which is becoming a favourite of the Male Voice repertoire, "We Rise Again", by Leon Dubinsky.

Singing as a guest of the Choir for the first was Cheryl Brendish, originally from Nottinghamshire but now firmly established in Cornwall.  Gershwin's "Summertime" was followed by Kern's "Can't Help Loving That Man", during which Cheryl certainly took the opportunity to introduce herself to some of the men in both audience and Choir.  We knew from these first two numbers that here was a singer who could both sing and perform to the highest of standards.

The Choir returned for four more pieces.  In Mark Hayes' lovely arrangement of "Danny Boy" we were joined by Maureen Trevorrow on the flute.  The second tenors had a chance to shine with "There's Nothing Like Pilchards".  Then after Harry 'Safari' Glasson's "Cornwall My Home", the first half concluded with Andrew Lippa's "Dance With The Storm", a piece sponsored in memory of Benedict Findlay.

The audience had an opportunity to stretch both legs and voices with the hymn "All Things Bright And Beautiful", before Cheryl returned for her second pair of songs.  From Puccini's Madame Butterfly we had "Un Bel Di", and then perhaps the most famous export from Naples, "O Sole Mio", which translates as "My Sunshine".  Whilst those of us of a certain age may well have been thinking it, we were surprised when the words turned into an advertisement for a well-known ice cream!

For our third group the Choir started with "Till The Stars Fall From The Sky", and then sandwiched between two Alan Simmons arrangements, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Da Doo Ron Ron", was Stephen Lawry's arrangement of Pete St John's "Fields Of Athenry", which was conducted by Stephen's Deputy MD, David Williams.

Cheryl's final grouping was Ivor Novello's "My Life Belongs To You", and she concluded her wonderful contribution to the evening's entertainment with a delightful rendition of Dvorak's "Rusalka's Song To The Moon".  Cheryl was accompanied throughout by the Choir's David Ceredig-Evans.  After her final number Cheryl received a standing ovation from both audience and choir.

Before the Choir's final set, it was time for our Chairman Brett Farmer to give a vote of thanks to all those who had helped with arrangements, logistics and performance.  Mr Chairman had seemingly been brushing up on his Shakespeare, as he treated us to several pearls of wisdom from "A Midsummer Night's Dream".  Brett also asked the audience for contributions to a retiring collection to support the work of the YMCA in Penzance towards their "Raise The Roof" appeal.  The collection would help with the work of sheltered housing for vulnerable young people in Penzance.

Please see Raise The Roof Fundraising Appeal – YMCA Cornwall for more details.

Back came the Choir for our final set, with "As Long As I Have Music" followed by "Like A River In My Soul", sponsored in memory of Elizabeth and Donald Swan.  Then David Ceredig-Evans took the solo line in Linda Spevacek's "Slow Me Down, Lord", and the final piece was "The Awakening", by Joseph M Martin.

The Choir, conducted by Stephen Lawry and accompanied by Annette Turton, received a standing ovation from the very enthusiastic audience.

Next up for the Choir is an appearance at the Sea, Salt and Sail Festival in Mousehole on Friday 5 July.  Then on Monday 15 July we will be at Stithians Showground, and on Sunday 21 July is the second of this year's Open-Air Concerts at Mousehole Harbour.

Colin Lawry

(Vice Chairman, MMVC)