Last weekend, Grantham Choral Society celebrated their 50th year by singing, again, their debut work - Handel’s ‘Messiah’.
A total of 112 singers from the society, plus four first-rate professional soloists and fine accompaniment from the Lincolnshire Chamber Orchestra, made for a most enjoyable afternoon.
There were eight founder members who sang both in 1963 at the first concert and at the 50th anniversary.
The discipline in the society is noticeable and shows well .
St Wulfram’s Church was nearly full and great support for the society was shown by the number of people who had come from a distance to share the event.
It was King George II who might have stood for the Hallelujah chorus but everyone in church definitely stood to enjoy Grantham’s great performance of the piece.
The concert was Musical Director Philip Robinson’s last in Grantham. The choir responded well to his direction and he clearly enjoyed the performance.
The conductor from 50 years ago, Philip Lank, was in the audience and expressed great satisfaction with how the society had progressed from its early days; he remembered that the orchestra 50 years ago was a much bigger outfit but felt that the balance between singer and players at the latest concert was much better.
The choir itself sounded very good with all four parts in balance and produced a very good sound.
The CD being produced of the concert will be an item to treasure.
