Saturday 19th June, two days short of the summer solstice, the zenith had already been reached at Farnham’s Maltings by our very own Farnham Youth Choirs, skilfully led by David Victor-Smith and Catherine Watts. A packed house awaited FYC as voices off stage blended with the beat of drum and tambourine in Henry VIII’s Pastime with good company. Reaching the stage in step and time with the rhythm, they launched into a vocal and visual representation of sounding crumhorns that put the World Cup Vuvuzela racket in its place and had the audience on its feet  “a whoopin’ and a hollerin’” for more.

The concert programme balanced poise, excitement, pathos, humour, movement, dance and energy, and we heard songs in nine languages – phew!

The Junior Girls have never sung better, with full tone maintained through all dynamic ranges, even singing in four parts. DVS conducted the Junior Boys in two small entertaining sets showing how unison boys’ voices can hold a line beautifully besides singing in five parts in their last item. In a rich, mature performance the Alumni Choir demonstrated how FYC has given them technique for life.

This was the best FYC concert I have ever witnessed; so well rehearsed; their confidence and vocal talents enchanted the audience. Highlights? The Aboriginal story of Joseph Twist’s Rain Dream – old repertoire but so polished now; Aglepta by Arne Mellnäs, new to this era of the choir and fiendishly difficult to perform; and lastly a completely choreographed dance routine of Abba’s Dancing Queen.

Unsung heroes? Accompanists Julia Freeman and Alan Beatie, Event Manager Phil Dunford.

SAW