Summer Festival 2015

Tuesday 4th August, 2015 - 12:10pm

A link with the earliest days of Mousehole Male Voice Choir over 105 years ago came with presentations during the Summer Festival concert at St Mary's parish church, Penzance, on Sunday (August 2).

Two singers were awarded 40-year badges, first tenor Jon Pender and bass John Matthews in recognition of their long service and loyalty. These were presented by president Revd Julyan Drew during the choir's annual highlight event.

Many of Jon's relations have been choir members and his grandmother, Nettie and Pender, was the group's first accompanist in 1909 when they rehearsed in a net loft close to the harbour front. Jon is a former chairman and treasurer and has filled many other roles with the choir.

John has also  firm family link: his wife and twin daughters have been guest singers with the choir and his late father Garfield was a member for over a half-century. He has also served on the committee.

Baritone David Lutey received his ten-year badge and another record will be established in the autumn by first tenor Derek Harvey who has already been made a life member for his unprecedented long service. In October he will complete an unbroken 65 years since joining in October 1950.

The large audience included visitors from around the UK and two fans from Canberra, Australia, Ian and Margaret vWillis, who have often heard the choir and attended a rehearsal.

With Stephen Lawry musical director, David Williams assistant and Annette  Turton accompanist were organist John Harry and flute soloist Maureen Nicholls - a  former  Mayor of St Just and head teacher - in two items including the delightful Celtic celebration 'Riversong', one of the many new pieces and highlights in this concert's fresh repertoire.

She also played in 'Flying Free' and the choir members taking solo parts were Graham Warren and Charles Parke with Clive Gronow (ukelele) in the popular 'Over the Rainbow' and second tenor David Evans in another new choice 'Lean on Me' with 'We Shall Overcome'.

The record 77-strong group was in magnificent form, especially in Walk a Mile' in an excellent selection to open the programme and the encore ''When I hear the Music', sung sweetly and beautifully, that followed a standing ovation for the powerful 'Rock Island Line'. It was a repertoire of contrasts from 'Delilah' to the moving arrangement of 'Praise to the Living God'.

Excellent guest baritone Eirian Davies, accompanied by Stella Pendrous was equally varied, with arias from oratorio 'Elijah' and opera 'Magic Flute', show songs - with a memorable 'If I were a rich Man' together with songs from his native Wales, all conveyed with a rich tone and interpretation allied to his personality.   

      

Among the guests was Mayor of Penzance, David Nebesnuick. All taking part were thanked by chairman Charles Law and bouquets and other gifts presented by secretary Tim James.

The choir will be singing at Mousehole quayside for the lifeboat service on Sunday August 16 (6.30pm) and in concert on Sunday August 23 (3pm).