Musical Director: Edward Taylor

It was at their last Concert in Penrith 's Methodist Church that Penrith Singers gave a most excellent performance of 'A German Requiem' in Brahms' arrangement for two pianos. On that occasion Penrith Music Club's Steinway was joined by a second piano. But now for something - well - completely different, as Penrith Singers opened their Spring Concert with 'A Little Jazz Mass,' accompanied by the Steinway, with double bass and percussion!

Bob Chilcott composed this short Mass in 2004, appropriately for the Choral Music Festival, that year in New Orleans. Chilcott, a composer of music for Cathedral and Church Choir's, composing in the jazz idiom, could it sound contrived? But my misgivings were proved to be quite unfounded as I listened to the Penrith Singer's performance with pianist, Isabella Briggs, Jo Gascoigne on double bass, and Joshua Jackson, percussion. In its five short contrasting movements, the composer's command of the form is totally convincing. The words set are those of the Missa Brevis, that is the Latin Short Mass. The composition is for four-part choir. Beginning with the Kyriein relaxed rhythm, the Gloria then acted as a lively stimulant. The Sanctus, as though putting the rhythm a little to one side, was followed by the easy tempo of the Benedictus. The Mass closed with the Agnus dei, reaching a climax with the repetitions of 'miserere', and quietening to closure on 'pacem'.

The Choir sang with confidence throughout, responding to so many tempo and dynamic variations, all parts as one, and seamlessly with piano, bass and percussion, all under the direction of Conductor, Edward Taylor.

It was then time to move on to that other well-known composer of Cathedral and Church Choral Music, John Rutter. But here we have something a little different in his arrangement of eleven folk songs with piano accompaniment. The title of the set comes from the fourth song, 'A Sprig of Thyme', bringing out a warm, pure sound from the Sopranos, so right for the song. The various arrangements allowed the different parts of the Choir to have their place, so the first song, 'As I was out walking ' was scored for men's voices. The men introduced ‘The Willow Tree ', a lament, with harmonies added by the ladies’ voices. 'The Cuckoo 'with Wendy Long's solo was nicely sung, the 'Choir's harmonies blending quietly. 'I know where I'm going', for the Sopranos. A Scottish lullaby, 'O can ye sew cushions,' was followed by ' The Miller of Dee' - a jolly Miller for sure as conveyed by the men's singing. The cycle ended with Robbie Burns 'Afton Water, ' a lovely four-part setting, a quiet ending.

Isabella Briggs has been, in the past, a member of Penrith Singers, and last year received a Young Singers' Bursary. This year, Tamsin Crook is the worthy recipient of the Bursary. Isabella is an undergraduate at Manchester University and currently giving solo recitals to include a performance at Carlisle Cathedral. John Rutter's imaginative and often difficult writing for choir accompaniment came over beautifully in the folk song arrangements. And throughout the evening, one was conscious of Isabella 's assured, yet sensitive playing. She did have two solo spots when she played four pieces which make up the Fairy Tale Suite by Frank Bridge (teacher of Benjamin Britten) from 1917. The pieces were full of contrast, so one involved lyrical fast finger work, another with strong strident chords dominating, and yet another creating a sense of mystery, and a busy piece covering the whole keyboard to finish.

In the Chilcott, marine biologist. Jo Gascoigne who enjoys her time with the 'cello and double bass, was, this evening, supporting the bass accompaniment with her playing of the double bass. Of course, the jazz piece lends itself to percussion. So it was that Joshua Jackson, principal percussionist with Penrith Town Band, fulfilled his role with all the skills needed.

Later in the Concert we would enjoy more Rutter, the familiar 'For the beauty of the earth ' providing the title for the Concert. Ideal, surely, for a Spring evening. And another Chilcott, 'Be Thou my vision ' gave an opportunity for Choir member, Marie Richardson, to make a beautifully sung solo contribution, to be followed by the powerful singing of Esther Worrall joined by full choir. There was a four-part swing to 'Lullaby of Broadway', an arrangement by Choir member, Charles Ritchie, that included a clever unaccompanied section. Double bass and percussion joined the fun. 'Over the Rainbow ' brings Judy Garland to mind. But this was an eight-part choral arrangement by Conductor Edward Taylor. He has also revised his grandfather's arrangement of 'Moon River.' So, it was in this closing piece, that the Soprano, Steph Chadwick, sang a wordless solo so as to float over the Choir voices adding to the atmosphere of the whole.

The Penrith Singers excelled itself in this most enjoyable evening of music making, so supremely coordinated through the conducting of the Choir's Music Director, Edward Taylor, known to us also as Assistant Organist and Director of Consort at Carlisle Cathedral.