Our recent concert marking the 40^th Anniversary of Wilmslow Wells for Africa was a resounding success to a full house. The appreciative audience commented on how happy and joyful the Choir looked and that the hard work and dedication of those involved shone through to make it one of the best concerts the Barnby Choir has performed to date. We especially thank our conductor Lloyd Buck, accompanists Tom Pieczora and Stephenie Leung, percussionist, Andrea Vogle, with Charlie Ashby on drums, and Heather Elphick and Lindsay Vernon who provided additional percussion.

The programme offered a watery theme but nothing was watered down on the night! The Barnby Choir’s accompanist, Tom Pieczora, opened the evening with a superb performance of Hornpipe from Handel’s Water Music. The Choir’s first item was a rousing rendition of Let the Music Sound composed by Lloyd Buck with lyrics by Dave Tonks. This was followed by the varied and delightful melodies of Bob Chilcott’s Songs and Cries of London Town. After the interval, Eric Whitacre’s intriguing composition, Cloudburst, provided an opportunity for the audience to create percussive raindrops to accompany the music. The Lord’s Prayer from David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus was sung with tenderness either side of the dramatic and spiritual mid-section before finally returning to the reverent repetition of the closing of the prayer.

The audience joined in again with the Hallelujah Chorus which was well received and provided an uplifting and enjoyable finale.

Rehearsals have ended for the summer and will resume on Tuesday, 10^th September 8pm.