It is always exciting when two male voice choirs join together for a concert. Not only is there great camaraderie but also an element of competition which results in both choirs raising their game to the benefit of the audience.
On this February evening the atmosphere was enhanced by a full house.
The Leigh Orpheus with their MD Janet Smith opened the first half of the concert with five songs of varying mood and style. Beginning with "Speed Your Journey", "You Raise Me Up" and then"Unchained Melody" which was conducted by The Choir's deputy MD Dave Smith and this can be seen by clicking on the video link below.
This first set was completed with "Love is All Around" and "Praise my Soul".
It was now time for Leigh Orpheus to leave the stage and in a smooth transition to be replaced by Chelmsford and their MD Paul Smith to perform "Morte Christie", "Away from the Roll of the Sea", "The Rose" and "Stout Hearted Men".
To complete the first half of the concert the choirs combined to sing the pacey "Rhythm of Life" conducted by Paul Smith and with the choirs' accompanists providing a four handed accompaniment.
After the interval Chelmsford opened their second set with "A Clare Benediction", then by marked contrast "There is Nothing Like a Dame" from the musical South Pacific. Another switch of moods and they sang a soulful arrangement of "Ave Maria". Then the lively "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka.
The set ended with "African Prayer" which can be heard below.
Another smooth transition and Leigh Orpheus were back on stage to sing "An American Trilogy", "Angels Watching Over Me" and a medley of four pop songs from the 1960s.
To conclude the concert the choirs once again combined to sing "Gwahoddiad", conducted by Janet Smith.
This was followed by considerable applause to reflect the audience's appreciation of this final piece and also of a concert of splendid variety and contrasts.