Christmas Around the World, Dec 2010
Review: Chester Music Society Youth Choirs Jan 11 2010 Chester Chronicle: by Thomas Stephens
I WAS fortunate to both know about, and to be able attend the Christmas Around The World concert given by the Chester Music Society’s three Youth Choirs.
These concerts are not promoted as widely as their listening experience would dictate, but then, as the venue, All Saints Church in Hoole Road, was virtually full, then there is little reason to do more!
To see and hear our oft much aligned youth of today, produce an event such as this is a real Christmas treasure. The pride taken by the administrators, conductors, parents and children is well deserved and the pride of ‘belonging’ is acutely demonstrated by the Alumni Choir, made up of ex-members of the Youth Choir, who return from across the country to sing at the various events each year with vigour and passion.
The conductors, Helena Thomas (Youth Choir, which takes children aged 9 to 18), Katie Wilkes, (Preludes, catering for children from the age of 7 to 11) and Ruth Evans, Alumni (above the age of 18...... but getting no older!) not only produce their own choir’s sound, but work together to integrate the three choirs as much as is possible.
The chosen theme resulted in the Youth Choir starting things off by aurally crossing the Channel with three French pieces sung with a smoothness which was highlighted for me, with The Shepherds Farewell by Berlioz; a delight. This was followed by the Alumni Choir singing Adophe Adam’s O Holy Night followed by the complex timing of Michael Neaum’s arrangement of ‘The Gloucestershire Wassail’ which would tax most other choirs, and was delivered with verve and vigour.
Helena’s Youth Choir then sang three linked pieces from the Czech Republic, the last of which, Zither Carol, arranged by Youth Choir accompanist Steve Roberts, involved the Preludes, enriching the event. This enabled the Preludes to keep the stage and perform three UK pieces with confidence. It is hard to believe that the average age of these 18 persons is only nine.
A trip to Germany was first after the interval, with Stille Nacht, and Personent Hodie, both arranged by John Rutter, sung by the Youth Choir with calm assuredness. The excellent Preludes then visited the USA with their three pieces ending with We’re Going Shopping producing both an audio and visual highlight. Ireland next produced the Wexford Carol by the Youth Choir, followed by Ronald Kauffmann’s jolly ‘Sing a Joyful Song of Christmas’ which brought the season to life.
The Alumni Choir next on stage sang The Little Road to Bethlehem by Michael Head followed by one of their all time favourites, Michael Neaum’s arrangement of Gaudete which always hits the mark. Remaining on stage, the Alumni Choir were joined by the Youth Choir to render Michael Brewer’s gospel-style Let me Shine, a complex arrangement delivered with aplomb.
Although officially ending with the Youth Choir’s ‘Immanuel’ by Paul Leddington-Wright, the choir completed the evening with a new version of We wish you a Merry Christmas, arranged by Gwyn Arch.
How lucky are we to have youngsters who each week devote hours of their lives to practise, resulting in a body of work delivered in such a professional manner and undoubtedly well received by all.
For all of you out there who would like to taste the experience of belonging to such a family, you would not only be welcomed by Chester Music Society but would make friends for life.
Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings at the United Reformed Church, Hoole Road, Chester from 6.15pm and young people are welcome to come along and join the choirs. For more information please phone Pat on 01244 351003
