Farnham Youth Choir ended its silver birthday celebrations on the perfect high note when it hosted The King’s Singers in a joint concert at The Anvil, Basingtoke, on 20th March 2010.
For FYC founder and choral director David Victor-Smith this was a proud and exciting moment as The King’s Singers, who themselves have just celebrated their 40th anniversary, “were my original inspiration in bringing together the incomparable King’s College, Cambridge sound in sacred music with a more secular repertoire which this (then) new group of choral scholars were honing to such perfection”.
FYC began the concert in apt style with Henry VIII’s Pastime with Good Company (arranged by Douglas Coombes). Like The King’s Singers, they included examples of their wide-ranging repertoire, from Dixit Dominus by the 18th century Venetian Baldessare Galuppi to Rain Dream by the contemporary Australian Joseph Twist and Jerome Kern’s Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (arranged by Alan Simmons).
The King’s Singers also spread their net widely, ranging from an exquisite and affecting performance of Weep, o mine eyes by the Renaissance madrigalist John Bennet and the powerful word painting of a shipwreck and rescue in Fletcha’s La bomba to The Beatles’ Blackbird and the vocal and (visual) high jinks of one of the group’s calling cards over many years, Phil the Fluter’s Ball.
FYC and The King’s Singers then shared the stage as FYC sang Jerome Kern’s Can’t help lovin’ dat man (arranged by David Victor-Smith) – the sight of the King’s Singers being dragged onto the stage by their ties in mock resistance will stay long in the memory!
And the concert ended with a combined performance of The Gift to be Simple, arranged by ex-King’s Singer Bob Chilcott. Showing how far FYC has come in 25 years, it was no exaggeration to say that in this sensitive and beautifully blended performance - as throughout the concert - the young singers more than held their own in this most illustrious of companies, a remarkable tribute and achievement.
This was a thrilling experience for the members of FYC, in seeing at first hand the effortless way in which The King’s Singers engaged and entertained the audience, combining the highest singing standards with charm, wit and style. For Emily Hodkin “it was amazing to have the chance to sing with such an inspirational group, something I will never forget”. For Martha Woodhams “it was such fun, as The King’s Singers are lovely people to be around. I felt so privileged to be a part of this ‘once in a lifetime’ experience.”
Parents too were overwhelmed by the evening: “What a fantastic performance by both groups,” said Jo Burley. “I was reduced to tears of laughter many times that night. Please do it again!”
For David Victor-Smith The King’s Singers “remain our inspiration.” The respect is clearly mutual, as tenor Philip Lawson hailed FYC as “probably the finest choir of its type in the country today” – praise indeed from what continues to be regarded by many as the world’s finest a capella singing group.
Bass Steven Connolly was similarly impressed: “It has been an absolute joy to hear and work with FYC, witnessing the superlatives of blend and intonation that one expects from this award-winning choir. The sheer joy of singing and corporate vocal energy they exude is a wonder to behold. They are without doubt a constant beacon illuminating the upper voice scene in the UK… may they continue to shine brightly and spread their joy for the next 25 years.”
A sentiment undoubtedly shared by all those lucky enough to be there!