With just three days’ notice Romsey Voices came to the rescue News

We were all set to welcome Notability from Manchester to Romsey to sing with us at our concert in the Abbey United Reformed Church when once again Covid struck. No doubt Notability’s coach was booked and its choristers all rehearsed and ready to go when sadly, just three days before they were due to travel, several of the choir’s members tested positive for Covid and the visit had to be cancelled. What were we to do? There was no way we wanted to disappoint those who’d bought tickets to the concert, we certainly didn’t want to countenance curtailing the evening’s entertainment, but it did leave us with a hole in the programme and a big problem……

Ever resourceful, our Chairman and Committee approached Romsey Voices to see whether they would be prepared and able to step into the breach in place of Notability. To our delight and relief, despite only having three days’ notice to gather up their song sheets and get ready to perform, the Choir said yes. We would like to place on record our gratitude to every one of them, and our thanks also to Marion for directing and conducting both choirs throughout the whole of the evening. Marion also kindly arranged for 15-year-old Anna Loadman, a talented flautist, to take a solo slot in both halves of the concert, a lovely performance much appreciated by the audience on the night.

So finally, RMVC had the kind of concert we love, a concert showcasing a varied and as always eclectic programme of music. But what did we sing?  RMVC challenged itself by singing in three languages Russian, Maori and Welsh as well as introducing new pieces (in English!) including Portrait of my Love and Anthem from ‘Chess’. Our most rousing piece, and an audience favourite, was Bui Doi from Miss Saigon. The joint finale was You Raise Me Up by Graham and Lovland and arranged by Emerson.

Finally, it is important to note that as always an RMVC concert is in aid of charity and once more the chosen charity was The Romsey Foodbank. RMVC members have been keen to support those who need help in this way, and even during the period of lockdown, the Choir donated nearly £1000 to the Foodbank. So, we are pleased to announce that a further £1000 was raised for this vital cause through the concert. Our grateful thanks to all who donated.