It was third time lucky! News

When Manchester based choral choir Notability accepted our invitation to join RMVC in concert none of us imagined that it would take three, and nearly four, attempts to make it happen. Covid thwarted Notability’s chance to travel twice, then, on the third planned occasion, at the very last minute, Marion, our ever-reliable MD, fell at the covid hurdle by testing positive.

Notability was on its way so there was no turning back however, saving the day the Richard and Brian cavalry stepped in and RMVC gave a collective sigh of relief. Richard, as our deputy MD, moved his role from accompanying to conduct, and Brian gave up his rumoured Glastonbury plans to head to the piano. In reality, Brian was aiming for Bognor Regis on a cancelled train, but that’s another story!

So, with Nick Grout compering, the concert got going with RMVC taking the lead performing its first five numbers.  Amongst these was arguably the most moving song of the whole concert Prayer of the Children, sung beautifully, and in its lyrics so resonant of the current horrors of the war in Ukraine. Notability followed giving the audience nuanced, superbly harmonious, and seeming perfect performances of their first five songs of the night including Seigi Rachmaninov’s Bogoroditse Devo – from All-Night Vigil. To end the concert first half the two choirs came together to sing Can’t Help Falling in Love.

After the interval Notability changed the tone of its pieces and finished off an entertaining set of a further five songs with a toe-tapping version of Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat from the musical Guys and Dolls. In the second half RMVC also shifted into different genres including amusing the audience with Chattanooga Choo Choo, or as Mike Bull put it ‘the only train of the night’ (referencing the rail strike), before Nick proceeded to build some extremely lively participation within the audience through the Jubilee favourite, Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. So popular was this that it had to be sung twice!

Finally, the two choirs came together to perform You Raise Me Up by Graham & Loveland.

As always for the choirs an Afterglow was the real finale to the evening with food, a little to wet the whistle and yet more singing.

Our thanks go to…..

Notability for their wonderful performances and tenacity in making the third attempt. Richard Stannard and Brian Budden without whom the concert couldn’t have happened. Marion Maxey for getting us concert ready. Mike Bull for organising the concert more than once! Lesley Cleary and her team for doing a sterling job on the night and providing the Afterglow feast. Our two Mayors for making the time to join us. Romsey Mayor Cllr Neil Gwynne and Eastleigh Mayor Adam Manning.

 And finally, RMVC Choir Members – you did well boys!