THERE was a buzz in Kirkby Malzeard as minibuses and cars gathered excited villagers to transport them to Harrogate. Why this mass exodus? Why the buoyant mood?
The village choir, the Highside Singers, with conductor and local composer Phil Wilby and accompanist Keith Dale, alongside the Ashville Singers, were to perform in a sell-out concert with the world famous Black Dyke Band.
The church was packed as people thronging inside, smiling despite the rain, to enjoy exquisite music and raise funds for St Michael's Hospice.
The band, led by director of music Prof Nicholas Childs, recently crowned European Champions for the 13th time, opened with a varied programme including Karl Jenkins' Suite from The Armed Man and a tear-jerking rendition of Elgar's Nimrod dedicated to Phil Wilby.
In the second half, the Highside Singers and Ashville Singers sang This Joyful Eastertide, two pieces by John Rutter, Look at the World and When the Saints Go Marching In, conducted by Wilby's daughter Anna, and his arrangement of Thine Be The Glory, incorporating band and choirs.
The sound filled the church and, my goodness, what a performance! The quality of singing, clarity of diction and poise of performance was such that it made the Kirkby Malzeard contingent burst with pride.
Who would have thought a village choir that started 30 years ago in Barbara O Brien's front room would have achieved so much.
A thrilling and amusing Carnival of Venus by Vizutti showed the amazing skills of euphonium player Gary Curtain, and Wilby's arrangement of In A Monastery Garden saw band and choir join forces again, this with two conductors.
The finale was a chance to hear Wilby joining the band on the organ in his own arrangement of the finale of Saint Saen's organ concerto. Talk about raising the roof. No-one wanted the evening to end. A final encore of There's a Wideness in God's Mercy brought choirs and band together for one last time.
The Highside Singers have a concert tonight in Masham when they say farewell to their conductor and welcome Keith Dale who takes over the baton.
For information about the group, contact chairman Ruth Verity on 01765 658401.
Rachel Mountain
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