When I learnt what our next concert would be I, along with most of the choir, was thrilled to hear it would be the wonderful music from Rogers and Hammerstein and that it would be unusual in that the arrangements would be those from the original shows. I missed the first two rehearsals but due to the inclement weather they had been shorter ones anyway and extra rehearsals were added to the schedule – sometimes twice a week.

Auditions were arranged and there were a lot of members who wanted their go at singing some iconic songs. As we were short of men we were lucky enough to get a couple of guest soloists for the main solos but the rest were sung by choir members.

I had been asked to sing “ Climb Every Mountain” from the Sound of Music and it was a bittersweet moment for me – I love this song but on New Year’s Day I had tragically lost my brother, Malcolm who had been out walking his beloved Cornish coastal path and had suffered a heart attack. I would sing this solo – not just for me, but for Malc and remember his love of climbing mountains.

The rehearsals went well and as the choir tackled the various tweaks and cuts made by Jon and Helen to make the original arrangements workable a wonderful sound was created and everyone enjoyed singing them especially the lyrics of the time which would probably not pass muster in today’s society!

For the first time we were going to do a “relaxed”, shortened version of the concert on the Sunday afternoon aimed at those that might find it difficult to come to a full concert – for example those with dementia, mental heath issues, autistic, kids, elderly or those that just didn’t want to drive at night-time!

After many weeks of rehearsals we finally sang with the orchestra – the soloists had a full Sunday afternoon with them and it was an absolute joy to sing with these talented musicians. The rest of the choir had to wait until the dress rehearsal on the Saturday afternoon. To say the sound was wonderful would be an understatement; over 75 singers and 50 in the orchestra made up of professional, semi-professional and talented youngsters. Thanks to Steve Hollingshurst on the sound and Dave Lawrence on the lighting we were ready to entertain our sell-out audience on the first night.

The concert started with the full choir singing ‘It’s a Grand Night for Singing” with soloist Cathy Kennedy who was also our MC for the evening, and then the orchestra played the South Pacific overture – this included the song “I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta my Hair” which sadly had been cut as the soloist Lin Bastick was unable to sing with us. The choir then sang “Happy Talk” with Saryu Thakrar leading us with some appropriate hand movements! There then followed a couple of solos. Our guest soloist Brett Hanson charmed us with “ Some Enchanted Evening”. Then Lis Page gave us a stirring rendition of “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy” before it was the mens section’s turn (with a couple of ladies to help them) to give us a very rousing “There is nothing like a Dame” with various solo lines from the men. There truly was no “ Sub-sti-TOOT” as Roy Collins told us!

Cathy then introduced two songs from Show Boat. John Neild told us of “ Ol’ Man River” and then Stacey Bee and Vivien Caldwell told us why they “Can’t help Lovin’ Dat Man O Mine” despite him being lousy at D.I.Y!

The “Flower Drum Song” was not a musical that was known to most of the choir but the ladies grew to love the “I Enjoy Being a Girl” song and certainly the soloists Ali Savage and Pauline Carter enjoyed being centre of attention including a (planned) wolf whistle from Jon!! As the song said we “ bristled” at this but secretly were pleased!!! This was followed by another overture from the orchestra, this time from “Carousel” and then Corinna Quarterman lead us into an enthusiastic, sunny version of “June is Bustin’ Out” before Jonathan Thompson calmed us down and ended the first half with an emotional “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

The orchestra started the second half with the overture from “The King & I” and then Janet Butterworth (as Governess Anne) told us to “Whistle a Happy tune” to make the fears subside. We then left the world of Rogers & Hammerstein to hear some wonderful solos from Lionel Bart’s “Oliver!” Esther Flanagan sang the soulful “Where is Love?” as the young Oliver, John Neild returned as Fagin and aided by the alto section got to “Pick a Pocket or Two” (though someone picked his pocket too!!!) and then Alaina West gave us a heart-wrenching version of “As Long as he Needs Me”.

Back to R & H for a couple of songs from the iconic “Sound of Music”. First, as Mother Superior, I sang an emotional “Climb Every Mountain” and then Helen Taylor (our very competent deputy MD who not only sings but played in the orchestra too) as Marie taught us all how to sing with “Do-Re-Me”.

The evening ended with music from the wonderful “Oklahoma!”. Steve Watkins told us all about “Kansas City” life as he sang about gas-buggies going by themselves and sky-scrapers 7 stories high as well as a more dubious note about an “unpadded” girl at the theatre!!! Brett Hanson returned to the stage to almost lull us to sleep with his beautiful version of “Surrey with the Fringe on Top” with Helen Taylor as Aunt Ellie asking her pertinent questions and doing her knitting! He then swapped partners and with Janette Houghton sang “People will Say we’re in Love” before the whole choir joined for a rousing final “Oklahoma!” with Pat Chacksfield, and Audrey Garrett telling us what life was like there and we learnt that Roy Collins had got his “dame” as he told us of his “brand new wife!!” The evening ended with lots of Yippees and a shout of “Oklahoma!!” that almost raised the roof of Wollaston school!

On the Sunday afternoon at the relaxed performance there were no overtures from the orchestra but instead Jon Rees introduced the audience to the different sections of the orchestra and got them to demonstrate their musical ability by “busking” it for a few bars or so! He then explained about the different voices in the choir and why there were a couple of ladies in the “men’s section”! We had invited the audience to join in and we could clearly see that they were doing that and it was good to sing for all there.

These concerts were a joy to work on and be part of but we were also raising money for our two chosen charities – Race Against Dementia that raises money to fund and mentor scientists working on treatments and ultimately aiming for a cure for Dementia and NMPAT’s Y Not Arts that believes that everyone young and old should be able to participate in a safe, nurturing environment and enjoy the arts.

The “Golden Age of Musicals” concerts would not have happened if it wasn’t for the hard work from our MD, Jon Rees, our deputy MD, Helen Taylor and our fab committee who behind the scenes found, ordered, and sorted hundreds of pieces of music for all involved! The shows may have ended but to be able to sing alongside a very talented group of musicians and singers was truly a“mountain top experience” for all involved and one I will not forget in a hurry!

Rachel Smith (Soprano)