Review of Maldon Citizens Advice concert at All Saints Church by John Peregrine

What an evening. To begin with the church was full with no spare seats. The Rev’d Julie Willmott opened the proceedings.

The words charity concert can put a damper on the evening as some people might feel that it will be a few amateurs “having a go” but I was confounded if I could see any sign of a damper on this evening.

Friday 13 might be thought unlucky, but it was clear to those who came to the concert that this was their lucky night.

The concert began with the Chelmsford Male Voice Choir who were not already seated so they came in singing I’m gonna ride over and over, which is the first line of their first song, until they were all in place then went straight in to their song unaccompanied.

This illustrated what a wonderful rich sound a male voice choir can give us.

Conducted by Eddie Carden, I felt they could have given their whole performance unaccompanied but the rest of their programme was accompanied by the very capable Sue Edwards.

The choir could have continued for the whole evening but variety was what this concert was all about and we were next treated to another choir that again could have kept us intrigued for the whole evening. And that was the Maldon Court School Choir.

It was great to see that music and singing was still alive in at least one school, where in so many schools music and the arts are being cut back, and in some cases, out of existence.

They sang three delightful songs and were conducted by their indefatigable music director Cara Hales.

She is to be congratulated on her tireless efforts to keep music alive and enjoyable.

Before the interval Lucy Bettley, the Citizens Advice manager, told us that the money collected would go towards their home visiting service which allows those who can’t get out to go to the office, to get advice.

The beginning of the second half had another pleasant surprise.

The All Saints Handbell Ringers gave us a relaxing rendition of Charpentier’s prelude to his Te Deum a pleasant arrangement of Sheep may safely graze and Pachelbel’s Canon. This was a delightful contrast to the evening.

Perhaps the most popular item for the audience was the Male voice choir’s medley of 1st World War songs as they were invited to join in, which they did.

The Maldon Court School demonstrated a musical project they had been working on, then joined forces with the Male voice choir to sing a final selection of well-known songs where they came together most effectively, apparently without a joint rehearsal, so we had the amazing spectacle of two conductors, one for each choir, Carla Hales and Eddie Carden, who conducted the whole show with great enthusiasm and style. This was certainly an evening to remember.