CONCERT OF ENGLISH MUSIC

St. Mary’s Church, Dorchester

DORCHESTER Choral Society likes to offer a challenge both to its singers and to its audiences and under the inspired direction of its conductor, Colin Howard, the result is almost invariably an enriching, emotional experience for all those who support them.

The pieces performed at this latest concert were by English composers including Holst, Vaughan Williams and Stanford but they mostly comprised somewhat lesser known works which were mainly of a deeply spiritual nature such are not always particularly associated with their reputation.

With a full orchestra augmented by students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, along with renowned solo baritone Gavin Carr, the choral singers provided an evening of starry quality that, although not especially exciting, was always soul-searching and heartfelt in it delivery.

A welcome touch was the choral work Everyone Sang by Stephen McNeff which was first performed by the Society when their much loved director Christine Page commissioned the work three years ago and it came as no surprise that all the performers gave it their best.

And if Holst’s Hymn to Jesus went over the heads of many, it can surely be said that his ever popular St Paul’s Suite brought fond smiles to an audience who braved the cold and snow to enjoy a concert by a group of musicians that never fail to please.

There will be three short church-based Outreach Concerts in June at West Knighton, Puddletown and Dorchester, all them free, what more could anyone ask for?

MARION COX