Testimonials

“Still mighty after all these years” Adjudicator Alan Simmons at the Cornwall International M.V Choir Competition.

“Excellent singing throughout & real commitment” Adjudicator Gordon Stewart at the Mrs. Sunderland Competition.

“Under the baton of Thom Meredith this is a well-oiled musical machine- a Rolls Royce if you like” William Marshall Huddersfield Daily Examiner Christmas concert.

“This is choral singing of a very high order” Adjudicator Irene Bentley Mrs. Sunderland competition.

“a gold standard Christmas concert” Chris Robins Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

“Thank you for a really splendid pair of performances” Adjudicator Christopher Field Mrs. Sunderland competition.

“What a sound, thrilling to hear” Adjudicator Vivien Pike.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Landslide Victory for Choir and Band

Show: Brass and Voice Spectacular: with Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

and Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band

Venue: Huddersfield Town Hall – June 10^th 2017

Review: Suzanne Smelt

No swings to the left or right here! lnstead we sat swinging in time to music performed by the reputable forces of award-winning Colne Valley Male Voice Choir and the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, proud winners of six ‘first’ prizes at this year’s Whit Friday Band contests.

Local maestro Thom Meredith led all through a cheerfully cheeky rendition of Funiculi Funicular (Denza), which exposed excellent choral discipline as the choir easily grappled with fast conversational passages. The powerful band enhanced this song with their delicate playing.

This impressed me. Too often a brass band does not know how to turn the volume down. We repeatedly heard the choir’s trademark choral blend of excellence, spot-on diction and assured ensemble singing.

In a programme of mainly expressive songs, that didn’t rely on pacey rhythmic momentum, the singers kept a sure eye on their conductor to shape the phrases and follow any slight tempo changes.

(And we kept an eye on Thom as he brought the house down with his wonderfully expressive solos in You Raise Me Up by Lovland).

Examples of well-controlled and sensitive singing were heard in the bass melodies of When I Fall in Love (Young and Heyman) and in the choir’s contemplative interpretation of Shenandoah (traditional) with its alluring and unexpected harmonies.

This choir’s affinity with church music was demonstrated in stirring performances of Benedictus (Arvryn), with some robust unison singing, and in Morte Christe (When I survey The Wondrous Cross) enlightened by Matthew Houston’s beautiful tenor solo.

This choir was born to sing these pieces. The band produced their own uplifting performances as in Ballade (Gollande),conducted by Dr David Thornton. Here, solo tenor-horn player Sheona White made her instrument truly sing. Breath-taking.

Soloists Mike Eccles (flugalhorn), Kathleen Gaspoz (cornet) and Jason Poulston (drum kit) also wowed us. Showpiece The Entry of The King (Wagner) was explosive, as five cornet soloists provided flourishing fanfares

This was matched in its electrifying energy and raw power by Baker’s A Short Ride in a Brass Machine and Strike up the Band (Gershwin) in which the percussion section sprang to life.

This is England’s top brass band and proved its standing in pieces such as the march – Knight Templar.

Water-tight ensemble, crisp articulation, and outstanding musicianship resulted in a tremendous sound that simply blew us away.

The inspirational finale, We Rise Again (Dubinski), with super soloist James Cooke, left me in no doubt of my allegiance to this musical coalition. They all have my vote.

And with a standing ovation, following an impromptu Floral Dance, they got the vote of the overall majority. This concert was a landslide victory for all performers.

Bravo!

Enthusiastic audience members vote ‘Yes’ as choir and band present their manifestos.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++