I KNEW from the moment of entering the church that we were in the safe hands of a choir that knew what they were doing.

The church was almost full, the audience quietly chattering with a sense of
pleasant anticipation; the choir were already in position, relaxed and immaculate in their blazers; there was quiet piano music to help set the tone; and an impressive spread of refreshments for later spoke of efficient organisation and support behind the scenes.

So to the concert – and the choir did not disappoint.

They opened with an appropriately rousing version of Stout-Hearted Men, a piece that was sung with great confidence and show-cased their control, power and harmony. It immediately demonstrated one huge strength: they sing without music.

This requires an enormous commitment of time and practice to learn and master their vast repertoire but it pays huge dividends: with no need to look at the score all eyes are on the conductor, and the control that this allows lifts the performance of each piece.

A cruel (and unfair?) description of some male voice choirs used to be that they had two volumes: loud or very loud... That is certainly not the case at Minehead.

There were some lovely quiet moments; some very effective crescendos; and at appropriate times full-bodied singing that demonstrated their power. And always with total control – note-endings, for example, being precise. The balance of voices was excellent throughout.

The programme was very well planned – as above, this is a choir that know how to do it. Each half started with a rousing piece, and ended similarly.

For the first half the Anthem from Chess was a great choice (for me taken a tadge quickly so it felt slightly rushed, but as the final piece of the half it wouldn't want to drag, so fair enough); and to end the show Les Mis is a winner and the final chord of Do You Hear The People Sing was an absolute belter.

In between there were clever sections sometimes of paired pieces that changed the mood nicely.

The choir had some fun with Nothin' Like a Dame and in the second half Gendarmes. This sense of singing seriously but having fun with it was enhanced by the MC, Kerry Steele.

Before giving a few details of the upcoming pieces he entertained the audience with a joke or pretend notice.

To say that the jokes were appropriately corny in no way detracts from their effect and the enjoyment of the audience!

There was also tremendous work from the accompanist Alan Hemsley. He alternated between piano, electric piano and organ, and always gave the choir the firm support the pieces required.

Particularly noticeable were the lovely (and not easy!) piano parts in I Believe, Softly as I leave you, and You'll Never Walk Alone.

Ultimately success comes down to the conductor and when I say “The choir know what they're doing”, that really means “the conductor...”

Jackie Butterworth is hugely experienced and skilled, and over many years has forged the choir into such an effective group, clearly insisting on – and getting – the highest standards of singing.

The work in planning and then rehearsing such concerts is immense. It was clear how, rightly, well regarded she is by all the choir.

It was a lovely evening of excellent, varied music, and the audience – standing at the end –
thoroughly enjoyed it.

Minehead Male Voice Choir held their last concert of the season at St Andrew's Church on Saturday, July 20.