Bigger than last year the MACC concert is still relaxed and
intimate though St Peter's Chaplaincy is almost full. We welcome Bristol Show
Choir, Rossendale
Male Voice Choir, Surrey Hills
Chamber Choir, The Dales
Community Pop and Show Choir and Crystal
Chords. Choirs make great audiences for choirs. We're all pleased, though,
that there are other people there as well.
"It's so nice to perform without the pressure of a
competition," was the refrain.
Even within this sample of just six choirs there is such
variety and each one is a delight to listen to and watch. There is energy, control, clear sounds,
precise harmony, professionalism and fun.
Sunday comes and now there are nineteen choirs. As ever the RNCM is buzzing. Colourful costumes dazzle
us. Choirs are ushered in and out of rehearsal spaces and green rooms, then on
and off stage. Everyone's a little bit nervous and very excited. It all runs
like clockwork. Volunteers aid and control us. There is another big event taking
place. This building works well.
We perform early on. Our three very different pieces work well
for us and we rather take the judges by surprise as first of all we move down
to be closer to them for our last song and then, on the very last line, our
male tenors storm their desk to deliver "Tell me you do!"
Each choir is given feedback straight after their
performance. The three judges take it in turns. They give us all some positive notes
first and then tell us what we can do to improve. I suspect for the latter
they're highlighting what will make the biggest difference for next time. They
have a hard job. Hours of concentration. The standard goes up each year. Every choir that we managed to watch
had lots of good points.
As the afternoon draws to a close the auditorium gets fuller
and fuller. The atmosphere electrifies. Those who have to wait longest to
perform have the compensation of a full and totally engaged audience.
The variety is delightful. What a nice way of spending a
Sunday – performing together with friends, having lunch together and then
relaxing and watching lots of good
singers.
Well done to the winners and runners up!
It is over all too soon.
Roll on 2019.
