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Concert at Butleigh November 22nd 2008

Sell-Out Butleigh St Cecilia's Day Concert.

Butleigh Church was packed on Saturday 22nd November 2008 for the return of the Brue Boys male voice choir and other acts. The Brue Boys started the programme with 'Some Enchanted Evening', ' The Jolly Roger' and 'Blue Moon', then ended the first half with 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'Do You Hear the People Sing' and 'Consider Yourself', finishing with a reprise with all taking part. Ending the concert, the Brue Boys sang 'Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines', 'The Rose' and 'The Rhythm of Life', before being joined for the finale by the new local ladies choir For One Night Only for Abba's 'Thank You for the Music'.

Left : Brue Boy Compere David Heeley

Earlier For One Night Only sang the Abba songs 'Mamma Mia', 'Money, Money, Money' and 'Super Trouper'. It was good to see the Brue Boys’ Conductor Jennifer Martin and pianist Carolyn Young in the fore of the choir, and several Brue Boys' partners too. Their Conductor and Musical Director is Brue Boy Dick Warman. It is hoped their standing ovation will mean they are not just a one-night stand!

Right : For One Night Only

The evening covered a wide spectrum of music and voice. The first half included Archie and Duncan Churchill Moss with an atmospheric medley of four tunes on hurdy-gurdy and melodian; Martin Peakman's clever rendition of the monologue 'The Battle of Hastings'; Hilde Senior with a stirring Bach Organ Concerto; Jane Laver, Helen Forsey, David Ellery and Graham Kirk (both men also singing with the Brue Boys) sang accomplished versions of 'Autumn Leaves' and 'The Dark Eyed Sailor'; and Janet Hill played 'Berceuse' and 'Gymnopedie' beautifully on the flute accompanied by Helen Forsey on piano.

Between choirs in the second half, Jewel brought us up to date with a powerful version of 'I know where I've been' from Hairspray; Richard O'Grundy gave us a hearty rendition of the Irish song 'Home Boys, Home'; and we were then treated to some wonderful operatic singing from tenor Chris Hunt and soprano Donna-Marie Hughes, accompanied by Peter Adcock on piano, as they sang the glorious 'Che gelida manina', 'Si, mi chiamano Mimi' and 'O soave fanciulla' from Puccini's La Boheme.

Left : Tenor Chris Hunt delights the packed audience

Refreshments at half time were handed round by members of Butleigh church hospitality committee. The evening was a triumph for Brue Boy producer / director / MC David Heeley who punctuated the evening with his own distinctive wit and pace. Thanks go to all who helped to organise, took part and attended this wonderful entertainment, the proceeds of which will be put towards the church development fund.

Report with minor amendment from Butleigh Parish Magazine thanks to Brue Boy Tim Gladwin
Published by The Brue Boys Choir for Men Copyright © 2009 and all Rights Reserved.