Wigton Methodist Church, Dalston

The Dalston Male Voice Choir made a recent return visit to Wigton Road Methodist Church and were welcomed by the minister, Rev. David Firth. Under the leadership of their musical director Michael Deakin they presented a well balanced programme of music ranging from Rogers and Hammerstein to Verdi. They were sympathetically accompanied on the piano by Lorraine Gash and David Wood gave some interesting introductions to the groups of songs. During the interval everyone enjoyed a delicious buffet supper provided by the ladies of the church.

Is there anywhere a music lover who does not thrill to the beautiful harmonies of a good male voice choir? The Wigton Road audience was not disappointed and showed their appreciation of high quality singing with quiet listening and well deserved enthusiastic applause throughout the evening.

An expectant mood was created with the opening piece "It's a grand night for singing" and the evening flowed musically from then onwards. Of course "All in the April Evening" by Hugh S. Robertson was a "must" and obviously a favourite of the listeners. Michael Deakin's arrangement of "I dreamed a dream" from Les Miserables was most moving. The choir showed its versatility singing two pieces in Welsh and the powerful "African Trilogy" arranged by Gwyn Arch.

It is always a particular pleasure to hear a good young voice and guest soloist Rob Henderson charmed with his sweet tenor singing and entertained with his classical jazz on the clarinet. He is only 17 years old but a successful career in music must surely beckon.

The final piece of the evening's programme was "Speed your journey" from Nabucco by Verdi and was just what was needed to send us, serene and content, on our way home.