Portsmouth Choral Union – Christmas Carols 2024 – St Mary’s Fratton, 14 December
To my great regret, illness prevented me from attending the autumn Creation, so I was delighted when Lois asked me to redeem myself and come to the Carol Concert. There was further delight to be had with the presence of the choir of Castle Primary School.
A little background? I spent a career as a school music teacher and a specialist trainer of young voices – particularly in church choirs and on RSCM Courses. My passion is to encourage young singers which is what Andrew Jackson undoubtedly does (and by inviting them to join the PCU in evenings such as this, so does David Gostick).
Anyway, back to the plot. I had high tailed to St Mary’s from St Michael’s, Paulsgrove, where I had the new Church Choir of youngsters for the first time. Was it worth coming down to Fratton for another Christmas extravaganza? Of course it was!
The soloist for Once in Royal was sublime but the joy and enthusiasm of their performance lifted everything that Castle Primary School Choir sang to a different level.
But what of the Grown Ups! I have never been disappointed by a performance by PCU and this was no exception. The beauty and clarity of tone of the ladies, especially the Sopranos, was such a delight – you must have heard other choirs which have made you cringe? Should I have said that? Too late, I have! The gentlemen, likewise, sounded musical. Surely a result of benign bullying by David?
I love the Mack Wilberg, Ding Dong Merrily but Ian cheated, as do I. The original has an interesting pedal solo which didn’t quite reach the popular published version. I was particularly taken by Ian Schofield’s carols.
As always, special thanks should always go to the musical team, especially David Gostick and Andrew Jackson but also to Ian Richardson and the person who probably worked harder than anyone, Sue Graham Smith.
