Farnham Maltings - Summer 2011
World-class Farnham Youth Choirs are used to performing in extreme conditions. Last December’s “Celebration of Christmas” concert was held in defiance of deep snow, impassable roads and icy pavements. And last Saturday presented a challenge at the other end of the spectrum; performing in the airless Maltings Great Hall on one of the hottest June evenings on record.
The astonishing stoicism of the choirs and their professionalism is admirable. With ages ranging from nine years old to late teens they give fabulous performances whatever the challenges. Little wonder that luminaries Sir David Willcocks, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and a myriad of other top musical names refer to Farnham Youth Choir in terms such as “outstanding” and “superlative”.
Versatility is one of the FYC choirs’ characteristics, well demonstrated by Saturday’s eclectic repertoire. Pieces ranged from the deeply classical Gabriel Faure, Anthony Hopkins and Charles Villiers Stanford to contemporary middle of the road pop music by Abba.
The concert started with the classical Festival Alleluia, a piece originally premiered by FYC at the Farnham Festival. Stunningly accompanied by Julia Freeman on the piano, it is a challenging choral work in three-part harmony. Joyful and upbeat, it includes driving rhythms and several key changes which the singers made with harmonic ease. The piece was written specially for FYC by James Whitbourn, a composer who has also produced works for Katherine Jenkins, Daniel Hope, Arianna Zukerman, the BBC Philharmonic and the choirs of King’s College Cambridge and Westminster Abbey.
The Junior Girls’ Choir commenced their repertoire with Eriskay Love Lilt, a traditional Scottish folk song arranged by Ken Lee. It is very pretty and appealing but also serious in three-part harmony. It makes for wonderful listening and has unsurprisingly won many plaudits.
Next it was the turn of the Junior Boys Choir to give a happy performance of Chim Chim Cher–ee from “Mary Poppins”. The rendition produced smiles throughout the audience. This was followed by a mesmerising piece at the other end of the musical genre: the Lord’s Prayer arranged by Anthony Hopkins.
The Alumni Choir also made an appearance. It is amazing to think that Farnham children have had the privilege of this world-class choir on their doorstep for the past 27 years. The result is an Alumni Choir of highly accomplished Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses. On Saturday they sang their own pieces including an unaccompanied, four-part and fabulously delightful Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot arranged by Jonathan Rathbone.
Audience participation was invited by Suzzie Vango, conductor of the Junior Boys’ Choir, as she introduced a canon arrangement by Peter Knight of a Simple Melody by Irving Berlin. Various rounds followed. The audience were kept on track by the Alumni Choir and acquitted themselves well. It was professional and fun.
In the second half, the audience were treated to the world premiere of another piece written for FYC, The Oak and the Ash, a traditional folk song arranged by Philip Lawson. As well as being a well known arranger, Philip is a member of the fabulous King's Singers with whom FYC shared a platform in concert last year.
The evening concluded with an audience favourite, the combined choirs singing I’m Goin’ up a Yonder. Professional standards, blended voices and well-tempered dynamics - it was a real treat.
The astonishing stoicism of the choirs and their professionalism is admirable. With ages ranging from nine years old to late teens they give fabulous performances whatever the challenges. Little wonder that luminaries Sir David Willcocks, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and a myriad of other top musical names refer to Farnham Youth Choir in terms such as “outstanding” and “superlative”.
Versatility is one of the FYC choirs’ characteristics, well demonstrated by Saturday’s eclectic repertoire. Pieces ranged from the deeply classical Gabriel Faure, Anthony Hopkins and Charles Villiers Stanford to contemporary middle of the road pop music by Abba.
The concert started with the classical Festival Alleluia, a piece originally premiered by FYC at the Farnham Festival. Stunningly accompanied by Julia Freeman on the piano, it is a challenging choral work in three-part harmony. Joyful and upbeat, it includes driving rhythms and several key changes which the singers made with harmonic ease. The piece was written specially for FYC by James Whitbourn, a composer who has also produced works for Katherine Jenkins, Daniel Hope, Arianna Zukerman, the BBC Philharmonic and the choirs of King’s College Cambridge and Westminster Abbey.
The Junior Girls’ Choir commenced their repertoire with Eriskay Love Lilt, a traditional Scottish folk song arranged by Ken Lee. It is very pretty and appealing but also serious in three-part harmony. It makes for wonderful listening and has unsurprisingly won many plaudits.
Next it was the turn of the Junior Boys Choir to give a happy performance of Chim Chim Cher–ee from “Mary Poppins”. The rendition produced smiles throughout the audience. This was followed by a mesmerising piece at the other end of the musical genre: the Lord’s Prayer arranged by Anthony Hopkins.
The Alumni Choir also made an appearance. It is amazing to think that Farnham children have had the privilege of this world-class choir on their doorstep for the past 27 years. The result is an Alumni Choir of highly accomplished Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses. On Saturday they sang their own pieces including an unaccompanied, four-part and fabulously delightful Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot arranged by Jonathan Rathbone.
Audience participation was invited by Suzzie Vango, conductor of the Junior Boys’ Choir, as she introduced a canon arrangement by Peter Knight of a Simple Melody by Irving Berlin. Various rounds followed. The audience were kept on track by the Alumni Choir and acquitted themselves well. It was professional and fun.
In the second half, the audience were treated to the world premiere of another piece written for FYC, The Oak and the Ash, a traditional folk song arranged by Philip Lawson. As well as being a well known arranger, Philip is a member of the fabulous King's Singers with whom FYC shared a platform in concert last year.
The evening concluded with an audience favourite, the combined choirs singing I’m Goin’ up a Yonder. Professional standards, blended voices and well-tempered dynamics - it was a real treat.
Richard Walker