Holme Cultrum Abbey, Abbey Town

It is often forgotten that the character of the environment in which a choir sings affects how it feels within it, and how it is heard. Dalston Male Voice Choir is aware of this, as it sings in a great variety of venues and it has little time in which to acquaint itself with each place before performing. How wonderful for them last week, to give their concert in Holme Cultrum Abbey, the first to be held there since its restoration after the disastrous fire 8 years ago. There was adequate width, large altar steps on which to stand, and an inspiring large uncluttered space where sound was not absorbed or distorted.

Leah McGeorge from Nelson Thomlinson School, was the solo artist invited by the choir, and she sang Long ago and far away, and Fear no more the heat of the Sun, and four others, all from memory. She displayed great confidence and sang beautifully, and a quieter piano accompaniment for some pieces helped us to appreciate this more clearly.

The choir itself was its usual happy self, energetically directed by Michael Deakin and accompanied by Lorraine Gash, with a varied repertoire well delivered. I would have liked to have seen a bit more animation, particularly when singing Old Macdonald had a Farm, and with a little less attention paid to their music folders generally.

All of this was followed by a delicious and varied buffet with wine. A very memorable and enjoyable evening, which raised £1400 towards the completion of the restoration.