Thetford Singers’ annual summer concert marked the second under the direction of new Musical Director Matt Gallis, who is already making his own distinctive mark on the choir.
Opening with Handel’s Zadok the Priest, accompanied by the Breckland String Quartet, Thetford Singers set the bar high. Famously written for a royal coronation and still performed at coronations today, the work was originally composed for strings and presents considerable challenges for singers. However, the choir’s confident and powerful performance gave no hint of its difficulty.
The programme took the audience on a musical journey around the British Isles, with stops in Wales for Calon Lân – best known as a Welsh rugby anthem, in England for It was a Maid of my Country, and in Ireland for St Patrick’s Day, performed by the Breckland String Quartet. The journey continued north to Scotland with Caledonia, written in 1977 and often regarded as an unofficial Scottish national anthem.
Four pieces in the programme – Afton Water, Green, Green Grass of Home, Loch Lomond, and Over the Hills and Far Away, were specially arranged for Thetford Singers by Matt Gallis. Alongside the Breckland String Quartet, Simon and Fiona Barnett provided percussion and piano accompaniment.
“We felt there were some beautiful arrangements of songs, which the choir sang very well,” said Fiona. “For me, the Breckland String Quartet was a highlight. I loved the combined texture of the strings, such a rich sound.”
The concert concluded with I Vow to Thee, My Country, arranged by Philip Le Bas from Holst’s 1921 original. It was a beautiful rendition, with members of the audience joining in for the finale.
Thetford Singers always welcomes new members and rehearses every Wednesday evening during school terms. There’s no audition process, and prospective new members are encouraged to come along for a few sessions to give it a try. The next term begins on Wednesday 9th September at 7.30pm at Thetford Methodist Church. The annual Christmas Concert will take place on Wednesday 16th December at 7.30pm at The Carnegie.
For more information, please email: secretary@thetfordsingers.org
