Choral Society presents springtime musical treat

Many of our most enduring and popular songs are the result of expert combinations of words and music, and the choir competently showcased a variety of examples under the expert guidance of their conductor, Elaine Hawthorne, accompanied by Gwen Dick.

We are the Choir and Sanctus brought together two stirring music pieces, composed by Franz Schubert and arranged by Donald Moore, while Sighing Softly and Modern Major General demonstrated the enduring popularity of Gilbert and Sullivan.

George and Ira Gershwin’s Strike up the Band, Someone to Watch over Me and I got Rhythm had the audience in lively mood, whilst Comedy Tonight, Somewhere and America were beautifully presented, clearly showing the genius of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.

Memory by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn, together with A Gaelic Blessing by John Rutter bore testament to the musical genius of the some of our contemporary lyricists and composers. The choir sang with enthusiasm and confidence and adapted easily to the variety of music genres in the programme.

Also taking part in the concert and contributing to the feast of music were soloists Gregg Davidson (tenor) and Robin Clinton (trumpet).

Gregg Davidson’s magnificent voice and expert interpretation of Some Enchanted Evening and Bring Him Home were warmly received by an appreciative audience, and he encouraged everyone to sing along with the chorus of When you were Sweet Sixteen, a song forever associated with the great Irish Tenor, Josef Locke. He finished his solo with a very moving Hebrew Blessing, set to the tune of The Fields of Athenry.

Robin Clinton demonstrated his skill and competence on the trumpet with splendid renderings of Let’s call the whole thing off and Sentimental over You. Summertime slowed the tempo right down, and he completed his repertoire with the catchy Let’s face the Music and Dance.

Elaine and Gwen’s two lively piano duets, Tea for two and Parade of the Tin Soldiers were greatly appreciated

Lisa Brown (flute) gave variety and breadth to several pieces with her expert playing, and David Hawthorne added a rhythmic element on drums. Ellen Fleck entertained the audience with a selection of music confidently performed on the harp at the beginning of the concert and during the interval.

At the conclusion of the concert, Jim Thompson expressed the choir’s gratitude to the committee of First Larne Presbyterian Church for the use of the church hall, thanked the audience for their support and invited everyone to remain for supper.

Proceeds from the concert will go to the Northern Ireland Leukaemia Research Fund.