Church of St. Cuthbert, Greenhead, Brampton

The Dalston Male Voice Choir gave a rousing concert in the lovely rural church of St Cuthbert’s, Greenhead.

Under the baton of their energetic and gifted conductor, Hilary Hodgson, the choir, celebrating their silver jubilee this year, have gone from strength to strength. The very varied programme exhibited their mastery of diction, blend of voices and sensitive dynamics, aided by their talented accompanist, Lorraine Gash. Their rendition of The Rose and Goin’ up a Yonder, both arranged by Alwyn Humphreys, and African Trilogy by Gwyn Arch were of particular note. The soloist for the evening was 15-year-old clarinetist Isobel Mortimer, from William Howard School.

Her performance of Gerald Finzi’s Prelude, Romance and Forlana exhibited her musicality and depth of emotion, producing a lovely tone. Her choice in the second half of the concert of Bach Goes to Town by Alec Templeton and Stranger on the Shore, arranged by Tony Tears and her able accompanist, Martin Johnson, showed Isobel’s versatility.

Michael Williams’ witty introductions gave a light air to a truly memorable concert, which ended with the choir singing the emotive Shalom as an encore.