GODALMING'S SPECIAL CONCERT - A REVIEW

The Special Charity Concert held at the Parish Church of Ss Peter & Paul in Godalming in aid of the "Friends of the Church" on 7th October turned out to be an exceptional event, writes Eddie Powlesland.

 

An amount in excess of £700 was raised, which was a welcome addition to the funds needed to safeguard Godalming's most historic building.

 

An appreciative audience were treated to a wonderful selection of songs performed by the Chase Singers under the musical direction of Robin Wells and the piano accompaniment of John Belcher.

 

One of the special characteristics of the programme was the special Godalming connection with some of the songs performed. Those songs included "Winter" by local composer David Stone, an arrangement by William Llewellyn a former Director of Music at Charterhouse of "Sing a Song of Sixpence", and "Silent Noon" by Ralph Vaughan Williams, who was educated at Charterhouse. The many Godalming connections were interestingly described by Robin Wells.  Some outstanding solos were performed by individual members of the Chase Singers, namely Ruth Parr, Diana Harding and Nora Price.

 

Apart from the Chase Singers the audience also enjoyed instrumental interludes. These were performed by violinist Kai Choi, accompanied by Helen Owlett on piano.

 

 Hannah Greenfield played a superb selection of well known songs on handbells, accompanied by her husband Matthew on piano and John Belcher and Robin Wells performed a stirring rendition of Sousa's "Stars & Stripes" on the magnificent church organ. Additionally, Yvonne and Tony Budd sang "You'll Place Your Hand in Mine" from Mozart's Don Giovanni to much acclaim.

 

With Remembrance Day in November it was especially poignant to hear the Chase Singers singing a beautiful and moving interpretation of Mark Blatchly's "For the Fallen", which was emotively complemented by the echoing sound of "The Last Post" played on trumpet by Will Spencer.

 

The concert ended with a selection of songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel" which included soprano Jenny Sanders performing a delightful interpretation of "When I Marry Mr Snow".   The evening was rounded off by a resounding "You'll Never Walk Alone" with audience participation.