If you missed the most recent Earls Barton Music concert you missed not only an evening of musical talent but you missed a fun evening too. Twenty pieces either sung or played by members of the choir interspersed with British TV adverts for our audience to try and identify and a hamper prize for the person who recognised the most.

The songs and theme tunes came from TV and film. A wide range of shows and films made the cut, starting with the choir welcoming our audience with the theme from ‘The Muppet Show’.  We could not resist the temptation to equip the choir with kazoos too, and our MC Steve, kept us up to speed with the help of Kermit the Frog.

Not only did we utilise members of the choir who play musical instruments to make up an eclectic mix of an orchestra (Duduk, cello, flugel horn, flute, keyboards, oboe, percussion, piccolo, recorders, saxophones and violin) we also had some superb soloists supported by the choir.  

The selection of songs took not only the choir but the audience back to their youth as we enjoyed such classics as ‘I’m a Believer’ and ‘Bring Me Sunshine’, to more up to date theme tunes as ‘The Hanging Tree’.  What we all enjoyed was getting to know all the words that you may not hear when the music introduces a program.  

Trying to fit as much into our programme as possible, we also included a mash up of the tunes to Minder, Only Fools and Horses and One Foot in the Grave. It got give the title of ‘Mind the Fools in the Grave’. We have to give credit to both Jon Rees and Helen Taylor for the arrangements of much of the concert’s repertoire. They managed to sort out 4 part harmonies for many of the songs that we sang.

I do not know who came up with the idea of incorporating a competition into our concert but it was a good one and well received by all who took part. In between each song the audience heard a snippet of an advert from British television.  Most of the audience members were old enough to remember the tune to adverts like ‘For Mash Get Smash’ or ‘For Hands That Do Dishes’. 18 adverts in all and the temptation of a hamper as a prize engaged everyone. You had to be quick because we didn’t repeat them! The highest score was 17/18 and the lucky winners on each night got a hamper full of items that had featured in every advert. Yes, you can still get Smash mashed potato and Nimble Bread!

The people behind the scenes worked their socks off to make the concert run smoothly on what felt like two of the hottest nights of the year. We even gave out paper fans and drinks during the performance in an effort to keep everyone cool.

Audience feedback was very positive despite the heat in the Methodist Church.

What I do know is that Earls Barton Music is a an exceedingly welcoming and versatile choir with some very talented people in it. Everyone is made welcome, we are a social choir with no need to audition. The music we sing ranges from comical, modern to serious and classical and on this occasion it was more modern and lighthearted. All the members of Earls Barton Music recognise the benefit music and singing brings to us all but most of all we have fun and some lasting and solid friendships have been built between members.

If you would like to come along and join us for our next concert to sing then registration is on 3rd and 10th September 2026. If you would prefer to listen to us at our next concert, then put 3rd and 4th December 2026 in your diary at All Saints Church, Earls Barton. I can promise that you won’t need a fan but an overcoat instead and I can also promise that you will have an evening of quality entertainment from an excellent community choir.

Cathy Kennedy, Alto Section