The American Dream

Unusually, for this Society, the opening of the concert was rather nervous and tentative, most of the noses were in the books and very few eyes on the conductor, despite them having a lovely opening selection from Rogers and Hammerstein.   However, by the time the choir got to their next number the nerves were gone and they were back to their usual very good standard.  Their interpretation of the negro prayer song ‘Down to the River to Pray’ was beautiful and very moving as was ‘The Wide Missouri’ in the second half, a lovely merging of two folk songs with excellent harmonies.

There were plenty of fun numbers too with a very enjoyable choir selections and also with soloists, Val Cosgrave, Audrey O’Keefe, Geraldine Kilduff and Teresa Lunn.

The guest performers for this concert were The Memphis Cruisers, an excellent, very traditional Rock’n’Roll band who provided a very upbeat and different interlude in the evening.  It was very surprising and pleasing the full sound that guitar, bass and drums could make when being played as excellently as they were.  A delight to hear and sing along to some of the old Bill Hayley, Gene Vincent , Jerry Lee Lewis favourites – took me back to my early teens!!

This very enjoyable evening was very ably Compered by John Mason, accompanied by Rosie Walsh and brought to a conclusion by everyone singing ‘Happy’ from the Manchester concert.   I certainly went home with a very happy heart.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.