Last Night at the Proms 2010

Chequer Mead Theatre, Saturday 26th June

Dedication, team work and sheer determination to produce the best possible results: no, not a political manifesto in response to the budget deficit, nor a World Cup mantra - not even BP's beleaguered promise to the USA…

In fact, an antidote to all of these: a perfect description of the uplifting performances of EGCS, supported by the choir of St. Peter's School and Chameleon Brass, with Jeremy Barham accompanying on piano and organ, and featuring Lesley-Jane Rogers, soprano, all under the unassuming but incisive baton of Richard Jenkinson.

Richard is to be congratulated on having assembled a beautifully balanced programme combining choral classics from Handel to Parry with modern gems from the prolific pens of English composers Bob Chilcott and John Rutter.

The Choral Society, fielding a very impressive seventy singers, was well rehearsed and notably sensitive to the wide range of styles in the programme, achieving pleasing contrasts in dynamics and articulation. The tone was set by the opening item, Zadok the Priest (Handel), which was energetic and precise. Just occasionally, in the course of the evening, one could have wished for a little more projection in the dry acoustic, but I must admit that Bob Chilcott's Little Jazz Mass (too seldom performed), for me, stole the show! The "Last Night of the Proms" items allowed performers and audience alike to relax and enjoy the music.

All the young members of The Choir of St. Peter's School were clearly enjoying themselves, too. Their individual items were crisp and clear, with bold voices inspirationally directed by Audrey Snodin, and they joined in the big choral items with gusto.

Chameleon Brass underpinned the programme with orchestral timbres, in economical but clever arrangements, and genuinely shone in their solo spot with Elgar's Chanson du Matin. Equally, Jeremy Barham was an unobtrusive but wonderfully responsive accompanist.

One final plaudit for Lesley-Jane Rogers, who sustained well focused, unfussy solo work throughout the evening: it is a genuine pleasure to hear a soprano soloist whose first duty is to the composer's intentions, who then proceeds to put an individual stamp on her performance.

In conclusion, this concert was, without exaggeration, a demonstration of the solution to our national problems! The performers were aged 10 to 70, the audience was there to listen and participate and the evening ended with feelings of achievement, admiration, community and delight!

John Gowers, 27th June 2010.