KIDDERMINSTER MALE CHOIR CENTENARY CONCERT

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

KIDDERMINSTER folk did their award-winning choir proud on Saturday night, as Symphony Hall was packed with familiar faces, who either arrived in the fleet of coaches which headed up the A456, or made their way by car.

The Kidderminster men's individual contributions to the programme were greeted with thunderous applause, and included the gentle Prayer of the Children, I Dreamed a Dream, and one of my all-time favourites, the Sunset Poem (Eli Jenkins' prayer from Under Milk Wood).

They also sang a medley of Abba songs, arranged by former musical director Stephen Block, who was in the audience and obviously delighted with their performance.

Aber Valley, Canoldir, Filton, Ilfracombe, Warley and Worcester male choirs, resplendent in maroon, grey, black, and blue, were fronted by the men in red, and joined in several massed items, conducted by KMC musical director Justin Parker, including the wonderful Malotte setting of the Lord's Prayer, Bring Him Home from Les Mis, and Deus Salutis, as always accompanied by Maureen Bowkett.

The deputies were also given a spot, when Harry Lewis conducted and Margaret Tillott accompanied The Saints.

The RAF Band were terrific - you could almost hear the planes when they played 633 Squadron, and everyone wanted to dance when they gave us Riverdance. There was also a wonderful flute solo in Black Orpheus by Corporal Richard Murray.

Stacey Kent and her jazz musicians gave us standards such as It's Too Darn Hot, and Day In, Day Out, in her usual, gentle style.

Compre par excellence Roy Hudd was the perfect choice for this happy evening. He got everyone into party mood with jokes, and during the evening gave us monologues, chatted with the audience and choir and had us in hysterics singing Oh Lucky Jim.

Joining in the fun was organist Keith Hearnshaw, who accompanied several items, and entertained us when we arrived, and as we left the hall.

We will long remember the KMC Centenary Concert, which received a well-deserved standing ovation.

VJS