Following South Berkshire Singers’ recent concert, choir member Dave Donaldson has written a review.
He said: “Since Easter, when we performed Mozart’s Requiem, the choir has been practising a completely different programme of music for our summer concert, Something Old, Something New.
“This was an evening of uplifting music with guest musicians 5Ts Brass, and raised funds for Limbcare, a charity founded by the late Ray Edwards MBE.”
The concert took place on Sunday, July 14, in the Caudwell Hall, Holme Grange School.
“The date clashed with the EURO Football final between England and Spain, so we were worried that the audience would be reduced,” he said.
“But in the end more than 200 people attended, and we raised £2000 for Limbcare.
“The musical programme included sea shanties sung by ‘Captain’ Brian Matthews, ‘Able Seaman’ Jon Goss and ‘Vice Admiral Nick Hird’ with choir and audience participation.
“Other items were: Adiemus; Pastime with Good Company with Gazoos; folk songs from The Sprig of Thyme by John Rutter; Macavity: The Mystery Cat, by Andrew Lloyd Webber, sung by Sandra Lewis; A Concert Celebration of songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with Doug Cleary as Pharaoh; Lionel Browne on bass guitar; and Alex Kershaw on drums.
“The evening was rounded off with 5T’s Brass and the choir performing highlights from The Sound of Music by Rodgers & Hammerstein, arranged by Len Tyler from 5Ts Brass.”
The brass group was formed in 2017, when Reading-based Trinity Concert Band and Woodley Concert Band both needed a small group to undertake some engagements.
“Five brass players came together, most of whom played in both bands and liked the sound they made,” he said.
“They enjoyed playing together and so decided to form a new quintet.
“ A standard brass quintet includes a French horn, but the five that volunteered comprised two trumpets, two trombones and a tuba, and they found that worked very well.
“As everyone in the quintet was playing a brass instrument beginning with T, they decided to call themselves 5Ts Brass.
“The members of the band are John Sayer, trumpet; Gaynor Popplestone, trumpet; Stephen Kerry, alto trombone; Dave Robson, tenor trombone; and Len Tyler, tuba.”
During the July concert interval refreshments were served by volunteers from Limbcare who also helped with stewarding duties and concert publicity.
“As a choir we are privileged to be led by the inspirational direction of Karen Phillips and to benefit from the wonderful talent of Simon Dinsdale, our accompanist, on piano and organ,” he said.
For information, visit: www.southberkshiresingers.org.uk or search for South Berkshire Singers, and 5Ts Brass, both on Facebook.
