Potton's Ensemble of Friends shines at Homerton College's Festival of Choirs in Cambridge

Showcasing their wonderful talents alongside the Ensemble of Friends were the Cambridge based choirs of Elsworth C of E Primary School, Milton Road Primary School, and another adult choir, The Homerton Singers, who can be found rehearsing in the college auditorium every Monday from 7.30pm – 9.15pm during the term time. Incidentally, the choir welcomes members from the general public too. This year we were excited to be accompanied throughout by the wonderful alumni music students who formed Steelin’ the Show Homerton Steel Band.

As a hush descended among the audience and participants, we were transported to the sounds of the Caribbean as Steelin’ the Show got everyone well and truly In the Mood for a musical extravaganza with their joyful and infectious exuberance. The audience and other performers were not disappointed and for the next two and a half hours were treated to one fantastic performance after the next. The children’s enjoyment of the music shone through and reflected in the audience as everyone clapped, tapped, danced, and sung their way through the concert. It was truly heartwarming and the party atmosphere will stay with me for a very long time indeed.

The day was captured perfectly by fellow performers who said ‘Another good concert with two delightful school choirs at Homerton College yesterday. It was lovely to see how much enjoyment the children got from singing their songs. The steel band ‘Steelin’ the show’ were fantastic and got everybody’s feet tapping.’

The second half of the concert was largely devoted to a collaboration of all four choirs who joined together to perform the delightful story of La Campanelita (The little bell). Partly narrated and partly sung, it tells the story of a brother and sister who have an adventure in the forests of Peru before they are rescued by a wandering spirit and reunited with their family in the market place, where a festival is in full swing. A special thanks must go to this year’s wonderfully talented college accompanist scholar Thuy-Vi Nguan who played so brilliantly throughout.

All too soon the Festival of Choirs drew to a close, but not without a fantastic closing number in which every performer took part. ‘My Silver Trumpet’ was such a fun and sparkling celebration. The whole auditorium was simply buzzing with excitement and we left the venue with a delightful warm glow.

What a privilege to take part in a such an amazing event! It was a wonderful way to start another year filled to the brim with music, song, and even more wonderful opportunities to discover.