At Home

It was both a pleasure and a privilege to stand in for Bruce Wyatt at this Stourport Choral "At Home" evening. My thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and generous hospitality shown to Karen and me. It provided an enjoyable evening among friends brought together by a shared love of music and song.

Steve Worley extended a warm welcome to everyone and fulfilled the role of Master of Ceremonies with confidence, humour and ease before taking his place as a member of the choir. The concert opened with the harmonious sounds of Junk and Oh Happy Day, immediately establishing the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that characterised the evening. The performers' introductions to several of the pieces added a personal touch, enabling the audience to appreciate not only the music but also the stories and experiences behind it.

The programme continued with a varied selection of solo, duet and small-group performances, beginning with Alan's rendition of Eileen Oge – The Pride of Petrovore. Garry, accompanied on guitar by Steve and Steve, gave an enjoyable rendition of Mona Lisa, while Penny's unaccompanied performance of the traditional folk song Lily of the Rose provided an attractive contrast in style. Wendy and Caroline captured the humour and character of We're a Couple of Swells with engaging performances that were warmly appreciated by the audience.

One of the evening's most touching moments came when Jim, having recovered from a serious lung infection, sang My Way. Dedicated to his family and friends in recognition of their unwavering encouragement and support throughout his recovery, his performance was heartfelt and sincere, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

After the interval, the programme continued to demonstrate the depth of talent within the society. Jenny's interpretation of Show Me from My Fair Lady, with Alan at her side, was confident and assured, while David brought particular authenticity to The Greenland Whale Fisheries, accompanying himself on the fiddle and drawing upon his own experiences in the South Atlantic. Steve, Ken and friends, joined by mandolin accompaniment, injected plenty of enthusiasm into Cousin Jack, celebrating Cornwall's mining heritage with obvious enjoyment.

Angie Allard's piano playing was one of the evening's highlights. Her performances of the South American Suite and Por Una Cabeza demonstrated impressive musicianship, combining technical assurance with sensitivity and style. Por Una Cabeza inevitably brought to mind the memorable tango scene from the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic “True Lies”, a reminder of the enduring appeal of this much-loved piece.

The concert concluded with the full choir performing Billy Joel's reflective And So It Goes, before returning to the stage with an energetic rendition of Rawhide. Dimitri Tiomkin's well-known western classic provided an uplifting finale that was received with enthusiastic applause.

Congratulations to Musical Director Jane Whittle, accompanist Angie Allard, every performer and the many people working behind the scenes whose efforts contributed to another successful evening. These "At Home" concerts are about much more than music alone. They celebrate friendship, community and the simple pleasure of sharing music together—qualities that continue to make these evenings so special for everyone fortunate enough to be part of them.

Karen and I were delighted to spend the evening with you. Thank you once again for your generous hospitality, and we wish everyone in Stourport Choral every future success.

Ian G Cox

NODA CIO Trustee, Life Member & Former Chairman of Trustees

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