Swan song for some Tain choristers
TAIN Choral Group’s Spring Concert took place in the Duthac Centre, Tain, recently, with a repeat performance the following evening in the Seaboard Hall, Balintore.
The Balintore concert was an emotional event for several choir members, for whom it was a swan song.
The programme opened with songs celebrating singing and music and then the choir really got into its stride with This Is The Moment, a lovely tune from a gruesome musical, as Musical Director Lydia Jackson said. This is the moment in the show Jekyll And Hyde when Dr Jekyll decides to drink his potion.
There followed The Rose, a very sweet song which featured a beautiful harp accompaniment by Lydia herself.
In Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves the choir captured Verdi’s sense of the dramatic and they clearly enjoyed performing a selection from West Side Story. I Feel Pretty gave an opportunity for good interplay between the ladies and the men while a punchy rendition of I Like To Be In America captured the fun of the piece.
A selection of sacred songs, included a striking version of Amazing Grace, one of several very good arrangements by Lydia. It also included a strong performance of I Gotta Robe with a solo from Elaine Shearer who stood in on this occasion for Kerry Adam who was indisposed.
The men featured strongly in Let’s Face The Music And Dance and they linked very effectively with the ladies in Alexander’s Ragtime Band.
Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly showcased Trish Geddes’ talent for the expressive and was genuinely funny.
As usual, the group was able to highlight the talents of many individuals in solos. Ray Robertson’s remarkable voice featured in To Music, while Poor Wandering One, in the final section of the programme, devoted to Gilbert and Sullivan, was one of several excellent moments from Elaine Shearer.
This final section also featured Gerry Revie very strongly in When A Felon’s Not Engaged In His Employment. John Duncan, Trish Geddes and Isabel Anderson, with rousing support from the whole group, caught the mood of When A Foeman Bares His Steel.
At this concert Paul and Ehrentraut Lippok said farewell to the choir, having been members for over 30 years. A presentation was made to them at the Tain concert in honour of their stalwart support. Isabel Anderson was also saying farewell after many years’ involvement in the musical life of Tain, initially under the direction of her late husband Stuart Anderson.
In her vote of thanks, Catriona Gray mentioned the many people who had contributed to the success of the evening, including the staff of the Seaboard Hall. She made special mention of Lydia Jackson who had once again contributed enormously to the event, selecting the programme, arranging pieces, rehearsing the group and both playing and conducting on the evening.
She also emphasised that the group would be delighted to receive new members when they restart in September.
