WHITESHILL Church was filled to capacity for the Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir concert presented by the Paganhill Maypole Society.
A programme predominately from the American Song Book featured the choir under their musical director George Taylor, plus guest soloist Celia McCabe accompanied by Jean Lea on acoustic piano.
Three Cole Porter numbers opened the evening, and Celia sang two standards, Gershwin and Weill’s My Ship, and Hart and Rodgers’ My Funny Valentine, with the choir concluding the first half with show songs from South Pacific and Les Miserable.
The second half had an eclectic offering by the choir, ranging from The Song of the Volga Boatman, to the hit tune Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity, by Fields and Coleman, and a chart entry by Sammy Davis Jnr. , through to the classic for male voice choirs, Cwm Rhondda.
For her second half choice, Celia sang beautiful versions of All through the Night, and Ave Maria, and by popular request, an encore of Gershwin’s Summertime, all accompanied by Jean Lea.
For Luke Bailey, the choir’s accompanist, he chose to play a solo version of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. A brave choice, and carried off with verve and jazz inflection.
Michael Bailey
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here