THE Rhythm of Life Has a Powerful Beat was just one of the numbers sung to a near capacity audience in St Thomas’s Church at this concert raising funds for Cancer Research UK.
The St John Singers, well loved by Salisbury audiences, joined forces with the Bournemouth Male Voice Choir on their first visit to the city as part of their 90th anniversary celebrations.
An enjoyable, varied programme of sacred and secular music was offered with both choirs taking the stage alternately.
St John Singers opened with Parry’s rousing I was Glad, and performed two particularly pleasing pieces Never Weather- Beaten Sail, with music composed by Salisbury Cathedral’s David Halls, and a wonderfully atmospheric They That Go Down to the Sea in Ships. Some fine high notes were cleanly executed and the choir sustained good control and phrasing throughout.
The 32-strong Bournemouth Male Voice Choir followed with sacred works by Mendelssohn, Poulenc and a welsh hymn Deus Salutis – all admirably sung by heart without a copy of music to be seen.
After the interval the mood changed to secular music with the Bournemouth choir delivering an upbeat repertoire including a soft, gentle delivery of The Seal Lullaby and a rousing Sing for your Life, Let Your Energy Be Heard – a most apt reflection of their zest and spirit.
Finally, both choirs joined forces singing a stirring Hallelujah Chorus. A most successful evening that left me hoping the men of Salisbury might form a male voice choir.
Di Verdon-Smith
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