Wednesday 10 May 2017

Clyst Valley Choral Society at Topsham & Exmouth (29 & 30 April 2017 - abstract)

Clyst Valley Choral Society
Musical Director: Paul Stock

Clyst Valley Choral Society's Spring Concert combined two very different choral works in an extremely enjoyable evening of music over the May Day weekend. Jonathan Lucas Wood was tenor soloist in Sir Charles Villiers Stanford's "Songs from the Sea" and Kate Lees was mezzosoprano soloist in John Rutter's "Feel the Spirit".

The choir sang beautifully each night, complementing the nautical and spiritual theme of the evening. There were also solo performances by sopranos Janet Macdonald and Myriam Prual, clarinettist Phil Bonser, trombonist Ben Lund-Conlon, as well as a couple of Stanford Preludes for piano played by the Director of Music himself, Paul Stock.

Rebecca Jackson made her debut in the second violin section, and also played two hornpipes in violin duet with 'cellist Sue Stock. Chris Gould still alternates between violin and trumpet as occasion demands - and gave a rousing fanfare during several sections of the Rutter, accompanied by Ben Lund-Conlon's bass trombone. Phil Bonser's clarinet and the flutes of Mandy Fishleigh and Marcus Carson gave equal augmentation to the gentler passages.

The combination of Stanford and Rutter was well-chosen, and superbly directed by Paul Stock. Jonathan Lucas Wood and Kate Lees performed magnificently, and were ably supported by the choir - diminished, but still very enthusiastic. Their next concert should be advertised soon. Rehearsals continue at Clyst St Mary Church every Thursday evening - and new members are always welcome.

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