Review - Harborough Band and Singers team up for triumphant extravaganza

The ‘sold out’ notices were posted weeks ago. This was the hot ticket for the weekend so no wonder the Methodist Church was packed for a joint, long overdue, musical extravaganza from newly anointed National Division Two champion Harborough Band and the internationally accomplished Harborough Singers.

The enthusiastic audience were treated to a triumphant demonstration of the musical accomplishments, traditions and skills both groups represent and possess.

The singers, led superbly by their MD Charlie Penn, opened the first part with the captivating and moving Crossing the Bar and continued the nautical theme with Wood’s Full Fathom Five. The exquisite singing was a delight and joy to hear. The choir demonstrated their excellent pitch and dynamics in a wide variety of music ranging from reflective items such as Ticheli’s Earth Song and Dan Forest’s poignant Good Night Dear Heart to the joyous Take this Gift. This contrasted with spirituals Get on Board and to conclude the set Gabriel’s I Sing Because I’m Happy. Much of the programme was a capella but the audience were also able to appreciate the excellent playing of their accompanist Andrew King.

To conclude the half, the choir was joined by the town band to perform Whitacre’s Seal Lullaby after an amusing observation on the planning required to identify items suited to both brass and voice. The result was a splendid outcome.

The second part of the programme featured the town band under the guidance of renowned guest conductor Stephen Phillips. The band opened with the lively You Can’t Stop the Beat and followed with California Dreaming, the reflective compelling Guardian of My Soul (Shaw) and Hall’s Nightingale Dances taken from the standard Nightingale Sings in Berkeley Square. The highlight of the band’s set was a farewell performance from lead cornet Ethan Hall who played a wonderful and moving solo in You Raise Me Up to huge applause.

During the second half the band’s president of more than 40 years, Mark Stamp, paid tribute to both organisations for their commitment and success over many years of their music-making.

The singers returned for the finale joining the band for a performance of Charles Wesley’s Love Divine arranged by Goodall in a moving and striking performance to conclude a remarkable and most enjoyable evening.