Waverley Singers

"Waverley Singers in outstanding form"

The following review by John Darker was published by The Herald newspaper; we are trying to establish the date.

Over the years, the Waverley Singers, under the direction of their conductor Malcolm Hicks, have performed The Messiah several times, but to those of us who regularly attend their concerts the Christmas performance held at St Andrew's Parish Church on December 16 was one of their best so far.

The concert was highly dramatic with good pace and spontaneity. The four excellent young soloists gave a fresh and vivacious interpretation of their roles.

Thomas Hobbs, tenor, making a welcome return to the choir, was smooth, balanced and very lyrical throughout.

Lucas Jacobczyx, bass, was full of passion and power particularly in the triumphant The Trumpet Shall Sound; Lucie Spickova, contralto, sang with warmth and compassion with a most poignant He Was Despised; Colette Boushell, soprano, avoided being oversentimental and finished with a strong I know that my Redeemer Liveth.

The choir, ably accompanied by the Tilford Bach Orchestra, gave full commitment to a proficient and energetic performance which had clearly been carefully rehearsed. The audience were generous in their appreciation and in their contributions to the choir’s chosen charity, the Naomi House Children’s Hospice. Tickets and a collection raised over £1000.

The Waverley Singers’ Spring concert will take place on Saturday, March 15, again at St Andrew’s, with a programme including Mozart’s Credo Mass, and music by Vaughan Williams.