Ramsbottom Choral Society & Orchestra

Once again this turned out to be the best supported concert of the year and its mix of styles clearly appeals to many.

The concert opened with a selection of music from various Richard Rogers shows played with verve by the orchestra. A choral arrangement by Peter Gritton of “I Have a Song to Sing O!” from Yeoman of the Guard by Gilbert and Sullivan was the first contribution of the Choir. Normally a solo, of course, this arrangement was effective in retaining the pathos of the piece.

Maurice Rushby was the Bass soloist and was really in his element in the chosen repertoire. Firstly he sang “Some Enchanted Evening” by Rogers and Hammerstein with excellent piano accompaniment from Harry Butterworth.

The choir and orchestra combined again in a selection of pieces from The Dancing Years by Ivor Novello. The quality of the lyrics and tunes in these shows is always a joy and in this example so was the duet contributed by Janice and Ian Lewis.

The next contribution was from Pat (violin) and Harry (piano) Butterworth playing excerpts from Porgy and Bess by Gershwin which was well played by each.

The Andantino Singers first pieces were “Benjamin Calypso” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Tim Rice and Lloyd Webber and Stranger in Paradise from Kismet (Wright and Forrest with a little help from Borodin).

Wendy Porter, the soprano soloist maintained her normal high standards with “A Most Unusual Day” by Jimmy McHugh. Harry Butterworth was again the accompanist.

The Choir and Orchestra finished the first half with “A Policeman’s Lot” from The Pirates of Penzance by G and S. Making an acceptable 4 part arrangement of such a classic men only chorus needs a bit of nerve as well as skill and Peter Gritton showed both in this piece and benefited from an excellent performance by the choir.

The second half was opened by an arrangement by Francis Shaw of 5 numbers from Show Boat by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Hammerstein and P G Wodehouse. Maurice Rushby accompanied by Harry Butterworth was again excellent in his rendition of Ol’ Man River. The choir and orchestra performed Cotton Blossom, Bill, Can’t help lovin’ dat man and Dance away the night with glee.

Andantino then followed with 2 pieces from Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera - Think of me and Wishing you were somehow here again - which were arranged by Barrie Carson Turner. These arrangements really test all four parts and each part passed with flying colours. Pat and Harry Butterworth then played Music of the Night in a sympathetic arrangement, enabling each to impress with tone and dexterity.

Maurice Rushby completed his night’s work (well, almost - he helped the choir in each of its items) with Maria from West Side Story (Bernstein), this piece being a vehicle for him to show what a wide range his bass baritone voice has.

The concert ended with a concert selection from the King and I (Rodgers and Hammerstein). The selection featured another duet from Janice and Ian Lewis.
The last words sung by the choir were “Something Wonderful” and the full house went away feeling that it had been.

M.H.  Read more reviews