Seaford Scene January 2020

Seaford Choral
Society Concert
What makes a great community
concert?
On the eve of Advent we sang our Autumn concert,
Rutter’s Magnificat and it was a blast. ‘A lovely feeling
about the whole thing,’ said an audience member.
But what was it that made it feel so good? It got me
thinking…
Maybe it’s all about community, and since this is Seaford,
what a community! This was not a hall full of people
who had come to a big concert. They were there to
share in a community event, along with others who had
chosen to sing in it. It was about a choir that has been
here for over 100 years, supporting and supported by
the wonderful people of Seaford; a group of over 70
people who had enjoyed singing every week together,
challenged by one of the hardest pieces of music they
had ever tackled; a committee who work tirelessly to
make sure everything is in place; a music director (Colin
Hughes) and accompanist (John Eady) who inspire and
amuse in equal measure; our own Bethany Geoghegan,
back from university singing the solos with such beautiful
confidence and clarity, our stewards who support us at
every concert, our composer (Chris Whitelaw) in the
front row, with his incredibly well-behaved Labrador.
It’s all these things and more, but so much is about you,
our wonderful community who follow and support us in
such a kind, caring and appreciative way.
Thank you.
Later in the evening, a neighbour of one of our choristers
came over to tell her she had just been to the most
amazing concert. She explained that so had she! ‘The best
amateur choir I’ve heard’, said one very wise man from
the audience. ‘When all four parts were singing together
it felt as if we were floating on air.’ Someone who is
thinking of coming along to sing with us, with his wife
said: ‘When the men were singing I was almost moved to
tears. I want to sing like that’.
It is, I’m sure, a reflection of the warmth of feeling
following the concert that the retiring collection raised
the amazing total of £416, which has helped Seahaven
Storehouse (our
local food bank) to
provide some extra
food for families over
Christmas. Thank
you again.
This term we tackle some new works (hopefully not
quite such a challenge), Purcell’s wonderful ‘Come
Ye Sons of Art’ and Mozart’s Vespers – two beautiful
pieces which should build to another great concert.
We’ve enrolled quite a few new singers this year. If you
fancy having a go and finding out what a great feeling
community singing can give you, come along to the
Baptist Church on a Monday evening at 7pm. It will
be a blast.
Photos from top: Seaford Choral Society’s Autumn concert;
(l-r) Tina, a member of the Seahaven Storehouse team, Dawn
Woodgate, Founder of Seahaven Storehouse, Steve Machan,
Chair of Seaford Choral Society.
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