Tag: concert

As Heard on Screen

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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.

Choir singing with audience watching

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.

The winner of the 'adverts' hamper showing the prize hamper
The winner of the adverts hamper showing at the end of Saturday’s concert

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

“Golden Age of Musicals” – March 28th/29th 2026

On By earlsbmusicIn Earls Barton Music Concerts1 Comment

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”.

Singer dressed as Mother Superior singing 'Climb Every Mountain' with orchestra in background
Rachel sings ‘Climb Every Mountain’

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)

The Icons Concerts – July 2025

On By earlsbmusicIn Earls Barton Music Concerts, UncategorizedLeave a comment

(as experienced by two ‘newbies’) *

It was Joseph’s Technicolour Dreamcoat that first drew us to Earls Barton Music (EBM). We read about the production online and were keen to join a community choir. So, along with a friend – a mad-keen musical fan – we bought tickets.

We loved the production. We were hooked! A few weeks later, we joined the EBM choir.

Gulp…

Was joining a 90-plus strong choir a leap too far? Had we bitten off more than we could chew?

Back story

We had previously been part of a small community choir based in London’s Waterloo. And when I say ‘small’, I mean small. With an optimistic full complement of about 20 people, it was smaller than EBM’s alto section. And comprised an eclectic mix of lovely – if sometimes slightly crazy – people! (Nothing changed there then!).

None of us read music (hold onto that fact) but, learning by rote – and patiently coached by our musical director – we produced a repertoire of lovely songs. Our signature tune was ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay. (A nice synergy then to discover that two of EBM’s Icons list included songs from the same band.)

The first rehearsal

Our first rehearsal gave us an inkling of what was to come. An initial list of 11 songs included hits from Tina Turner, the Mamas and the Papas, Lady Gaga and a Boy George/George Michael/Michael Jackson mash-up. Some of these had been re-worked by Helen, the deputy music director.

With only 10 weeks to learn the songs, we began to realise just how big a task we faced. A far cry from our much gentler Waterloo days!

Little did we know…

A couple of weeks into rehearsals, Jon (the music director) broke the news that another seven songs had been added to the list, including hits from Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, Madonna, and Bob Dylan. So, 18 songs to learn in 10 weeks…

Biting the bullet

We’ve both passed the stage when stepping outside our comfort zone is an exciting challenge (was it ever?!). For us it’s a no-brainer – I mean why would we do that when there are so many more enjoyable things to do!

But pushing aside our concerns – not reading music; lack of rehearsal time; new environment, etc – we decided to confront the challenges head on.

And, my goodness, it was worth it!

During the ensuing weeks, we sang along with some truly amazing, multi-talented people. People with beautiful voices who sang with confidence. People who also played the saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, flute and violin. The piano, guitar, drums, and even the cajon!

And this wonderful band of musicians added the extra ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the choir.

Elevating it from a group of good singers to a full-blown ‘blow-your-mind’ performance team. They’re fantastic, just amazing.

The concerts

Fate dictated that our concerts fell on three of the hottest days of the year, with outside temperatures reaching 33 degrees. At seven o’clock in the evening.

The concert hall was equally hot. And with a choir of nearly 90 people, an audience of 100, and spotlights all around, it was never going get much cooler!

Stiff (if slightly sweaty) upper lip

But we’re BRITISH and laugh in the face of such adversity – ha-ha-ha – and, like the troopers we are, went “once more unto the breach”.

And we were great!

Not perfect of course – nothing ever is. But we had lots of fun, and the audiences laughed at Jon’s world-renowned jokes, sang along with the songs, stamped in time to Queen’s ‘We will rock you’, and swayed majestically to ‘We are the champions’.

And they listened in awe, then cheered loudly, at the beautiful and moving instrumental numbers.

What’s not to like?

But what is a choir?

Much more than a bunch of lovely people who made us very welcome, Earls Barton Music is a group of hugely talented voices and musicians too. The complete package. Jon and Helen – both experienced, gifted musicians and composers – lead and guide the choir. They are the glue that melds all the parts into a harmonious single entity.

Our thanks, respect and applause go out to them both.

But EBM is also supported by a dedicated team of (largely unseen) helpers. Front-of- house, back-of-house, lighting and sound, refreshment teams, logistics experts, the choir committee and many more. All giving freely of their time, energy and resources.

Above and beyond, guys, above and beyond.

So… the final curtain or time for an encore?

Would we join again? Yes, I think we would. But we would have to pick the concerts with care. We both love singing and want to sing confidently and ‘correctly’. And we both love Elgar’s ‘Nimrod’ which is planned for the Remembrance Day concert.

But neither of us reads music, and singing is a huge step away from just listening. This puts us at a disadvantage and undermines our confidence. And with that, our enjoyment level.

But… that said, perhaps it’s time to step outside that comfort zone.

* Paul Higham and Sarah Taylor