St. Michael's Church, Bowness on Solway

''Thirty five chaps'' – who sing. Better known as the Dalston Male Voice Choir, the attribution ''like a family'' – is from their recently retired musical director of 27 years. The choir gave their first concert under their new musical director Michael Deakin BA (Hons) Music in St Michael's church, Bowness on Solway. The choir warmed up ''With A Voice Of Singing'' by Martin Shaw – once the organist at St Martin in the Field. ''Sloop John B'' a Bahamian folk song, drew some finely intoned syncopation. Vivaldi's well known ''Gloria'' once prompted a profound but back-handed compliment that it might have been written by J S Bach, his famous contemporary. It was not. The guest artiste Hannah Kent was accompanied by the inimitable Ian Kellett. Singing in church for the first time was a little awesome. '' You got a friend in me'' dispelled any nerves and her five other songs included ''If I Die Young'' and ''Hotel California'' were offered without her hiding behind a microphone. One of two Welsh hymns ''Cwm Rhonda'' very well known and restrained as befits a Sunday concert in church as distinct from a rendering at a Welsh Rugby international. ''Good Night Ladies'' with its chorus of ''Merrily We Roll Along'' was likewise constrained from its exuberant sailor's dance by the arrangement. In all, this responsive choir, with its able accompanist Lorraine Gash LTCL, has quickly responded to Michael Deakin's clear conducting. It is a delight to see a conductor's use of the left hand as an often required separate adjunct to the right. ''Unchained Melody'' was given its clear fluidity while text from letters and poems from military wives produced a poignant rendering of ''Where Ever You Are'', by the ''Thirty five chaps'' resplendent in red. Arthur C Williams

The choir gave their first concert under their new musical director Michael Deakin BA (Hons) Music in St Michael's church, Bowness on Solway. The choir warmed up ''With A Voice Of Singing'' by Martin Shaw – once the organist at St Martin in the Field. ''Sloop John B'' a Bahamian folk song, drew some finely intoned syncopation. Vivaldi's well known ''Gloria'' once prompted a profound but back-handed compliment that it might have been written by J S Bach, his famous contemporary. It was not. The guest artiste Hannah Kent was accompanied by the inimitable Ian Kellett. Singing in church for the first time was a little awesome. '' You got a friend in me'' dispelled any nerves and her five other songs included ''If I Die Young'' and ''Hotel California'' were offered without her hiding behind a microphone. One of two Welsh hymns ''Cwm Rhonda'' very well known and restrained as befits a Sunday concert in church as distinct from a rendering at a Welsh Rugby international. ''Good Night Ladies'' with its chorus of ''Merrily We Roll Along'' was likewise constrained from its exuberant sailor's dance by the arrangement. In all, this responsive choir, with its able accompanist Lorraine Gash LTCL, has quickly responded to Michael Deakin's clear conducting. It is a delight to see a conductor's use of the left hand as an often required separate adjunct to the right. ''Unchained Melody'' was given its clear fluidity while text from letters and poems from military wives produced a poignant rendering of ''Where Ever You Are'', by the ''Thirty five chaps'' resplendent in red. Arthur C Williams

The choir warmed up ''With A Voice Of Singing'' by Martin Shaw – once the organist at St Martin in the Field. ''Sloop John B'' a Bahamian folk song, drew some finely intoned syncopation. Vivaldi's well known ''Gloria'' once prompted a profound but back-handed compliment that it might have been written by J S Bach, his famous contemporary. It was not.

The guest artiste Hannah Kent was accompanied by the inimitable Ian Kellett. Singing in church for the first time was a little awesome. '' You got a friend in me'' dispelled any nerves and her five other songs included ''If I Die Young'' and ''Hotel California'' were offered without her hiding behind a microphone.

One of two Welsh hymns ''Cwm Rhonda'' very well known and restrained as befits a Sunday concert in church as distinct from a rendering at a Welsh Rugby international. ''Good Night Ladies'' with its chorus of ''Merrily We Roll Along'' was likewise constrained from its exuberant sailor's dance by the arrangement.

In all, this responsive choir, with its able accompanist Lorraine Gash LTCL, has quickly responded to Michael Deakin's clear conducting. It is a delight to see a conductor's use of the left hand as an often required separate adjunct to the right.

''Unchained Melody'' was given its clear fluidity while text from letters and poems from military wives produced a poignant rendering of ''Where Ever You Are'', by the ''Thirty five chaps'' resplendent in red.