Newbury’s Super Trouper Cromwells raise £1,000 children’s bereavement charity
The Cromwell Singers: The Spirit of Christmas
at Newbury Methodist Church
on Saturday, December 7
Review by ALISON DEWAR
IMAGINATIVE programmes are characteristic of The Cromwell Singers. This one was no exception, highlighting guest musicians and singers, as well as a wide range of musical genres. The packed house enjoyed musicals, pop, a Christmas theme – and afternoon tea.
Audience members were tapping their feet to songs from childhood, teens and other early memories. The Cromwells celebrated ABBA’s 50th Eurovision anniversary, and the birth of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody a year later. They clearly had a blast with their punchy full-tilt singing of Super Trouper and in a gloriously dramatic medley from The Phantom of the Opera. Jevan Johnson Booth matched this mood with similarly vibrant piano accompaniment.
Quieter moments shone subtly, too, such as in two songs by John Rutter and when guest musicians on flute (Deborah Stanley) and trumpet (Ava Valentine) blended skilfully with the choir. Young guest singers, Alice Golding and Alex Hutson, showed their acting abilities throughout stellar performances in The Life I Never Led and Corner of the Sky from the musicals Sister Act and Pippin. Choir members gave fine solo performances too: Pam White with Habanera from Carmen and Mags Jackson’s verse in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s No Matter What.
Musical director Trevor Defferd awarded the audience a splendid 10 out of 10 for their vocal contributions in Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. This closed the second part of the afternoon, in which we heard carols, part of Faure’s Requiem and the children’s poem Christmas at the Zoo. Expressing the importance of kindness and unity, the choir sang the delightful Spirit of Christmas, written and composed by Trevor 40 years ago (and unearthed for this concert). With lyrics of joy, questioning, hope and concern, the music – in music’s unique way – brought poignancy in the lasting relevance of his words‘Please let the spirit of Christmas last all year!’.
A collection and raffle raised £1,000 for Daisy’s Dream, a Berkshire charity providing support through a range of services for children and young people who have been affected by bereavement.
The Cromwells sing again on Saturday, March 29, at St Mary’s Church, Thatcham, at 3pm.
