SMVC win two trophies at Cheltenham Spa Festival of Performing Arts at Cheltenham Town Hall – 19th May 2012
SMVC were winners of two prizes in the competition:
- Cheltenham Spa Music Festival Cup - Male Voice Class
- Lily James Memorial Challenge Cup – Sacred Music Class
The choir beat several high quality choirs which included one from Cardiff and one from Ireland.
The festival’s choral adjudicator, Neil Jenkins, highly praised SMVC performances in both classes. He commented that ‘the timbre they (SMVC) produce in the ‘piano’ colour is like treacle. The bass line is particularly impressive, and reminded me a little of Russian basses. The text is crystal clear, and their harmonies are absolutely bang in tune’ and ‘The music looks nothing when you see it on the page but what they do with it – there’s the magic! The words (of ‘Drunken Sailor’) were wonderfully coloured and projected, as were all the super phrases, leading to a stunning finale.
The results can be viewed on http://cheltfest.webeden.co.uk/#/festival-results/4535683429 C4 and C2 Sections.
The choir’s best performance was judged to be the singing of ‘Lily of the Valley’ and ‘Amen’ for which the choir was awarded the highest award, ‘outstanding‘. The choir also sang, ‘My Lord what a Mornin’’, ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother and Wuh Duh Yuh Do with a Drunken Sailor’, awarded the second highest award, ‘honours’.
Unfortunately, photographs of the choirs’ performance could not be taken inside the venue. Photographs of this excellent venue can be seen on the link - http://www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk
MD Max Brockman-More and accompanist Shelly Morgan
MD Max Brockman-More and accompanist Shelly Morgan who inspired the choir on the day. Choiristers would also like to thank Assistant MD Kate Lock and Francis Couldridge who played such an important part in preparing the choir for this competition.
An informal rehearsal outside Cheltenham Town Hall to get those voices warmed up in the May sunshine.
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