It was a great concert to help those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. News

RMVC, along with the Romsey Youth Chamber Choir, pulled out all the stops to deliver their best performances in the URC just a week to the day after taking part in the Romsey Mayor’s concert in Romsey Abbey…….

The Concert First Half

The United Reformed Church is a beautiful, acoustically welcoming venue that, despite the relatively short notice before the concert, on the night supported a lively and appreciative audience in its nave and balcony. The RMVC distinctive green jackets took their place standing below the Church’s tall, impressive organ for Chairman Kevin Cleary to introduce the Choir’s first half pieces including old favourites O Gymru in Welsh, Can’t Help Falling in Love and the memorable Bring him Home from Les Misérables. After this it was Romsey Youth Chamber Choir’s turn on stage to sing a series of lilting harmonies, How Can You Catch the Wind, Ubi Caritas, All for the Love of One and finally Wayfaring Stranger.

Then before the interval Marion Maxey, Musical Director of both choirs, introduced special guests Jim and Ross who gave the audience and choirs alike a very poignant, and realistic feel for the voluntary work they had recently been doing in Turkey, and bringing alive their efforts to help save those trapped beneath buildings in the ruins following the devastating earthquake.

The Second Half

Marion led the introductions to the Chamber Choir’s very varied second half performances, Blue Mountain River, Hold Me Rock Me, Lunar Lullaby, Tibie Paiom in Russian and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. RMVC, this time compered by Deputy Chair Jim Philbin, similarly demonstrated its versatility in singing Seize the Day, Unchained Melody, the evocative Prayer of the Children, so resonant of the war in Ukraine, and finally a rousing rendition of Bui Doi from Miss Saigon.

The Finale

We all love a finale where the choirs come together, and this finale did not disappoint. But before revealing what was sung, the audience learned of the birthday of a new RMVC choir member x whose two young chorister daughters joined him at the front of the singers for Happy Birthday to be sung before they remained on stage to sing the Finale choice Let the River Run, from the film Working Girl, a feisty, exuberant number to finish off a fantastic concert.

Thanks

As ever, as always, we thank the tireless and talented Marion Maxey, and also Richard Stannard and Chris Maxey for their amazing piano accompaniment. RMVC’s wonderful Ladies Support Team for all that they do, and of course all the Choristers in both choirs whose singing never fails to be wonderfully entertaining. Lastly, thanks to the URC for the best venue and well done to Jim and Ross.