It was another brilliant End-of-Term Concert from our Sandford and St Philip’s Choral Union and Junior Choir which was performed on Thursday 1 June at 7.30pm in Sandford Parish Church. David O’Shea had put together a great programme with a range of choral music; from Bach to O’Shea and O’Farrell, and from Mozart to Rutter, there really was something for everyone.
The Choral Union sang a number of favourites beautifully, including the Sanctus from Requiem, Op. 48 by Gabriel Fauré and the melodic Carol of the Birds which is a Catalan traditional piece, arranged by D. M. O’Shea and which the congregation had also been treated to over the Christmas period. It was lovely to hear from the Junior Choir who joined the Choral Union for some pieces, and who also had their own break-out moment with the Fruit Canon which came with actions and audience participation. Judith Lyons was brilliant singing We don’t talk about Bruno from Disney’s Encanto, and gave a really lively performance that we all loved, and the Junior Choir looked particularly happy to hear that one.
There was some great music from the trio of Nóra Nic Oireachtaigh, Aodh Quigley and Em Ormonde who performed a traditional selection. Jack O’Doherty and David O’Shea gave us a lovely rendition of the slow movement from Trio Sonata BWV 525 by J. S. Bach, with Jack playing part of the organ arrangement on his tuba with real aplomb. David also played The Skaters Waltz on the organ, which we were told is a favourite of our Rector. All in all, it was a lovely evening. Many thanks to all who gave of their time and talents, in particular, David O’Shea and Judith Lyons for their musical direction and performances, the Choral Union, the Junior Choir and Canon Gyles for hosting the concert. Margaret Leahy