A church that has recently completed a significant programme of re-ordering was the venue for a concert that raised hundreds.

Dalston Male Voice Choir and the Gala Trio performed at the Christ Church in Silloth on Sunday, November 6

The church has updated its facilities, including installing a new kitchen, and has replaced pews with comfortable seating, which provides an adaptable space suitable for both church worship and community events including concerts, and Sunday afternoon’s concert was a real treat for the sell-out audience.

Dalston Male Voice Choir, conducted by professional musician Mike Deakin and ably accompanied on the piano by Lorraine Gash, proved their enormous talent and versatility with a programme that included traditional songs, sea shanties, pop-rock standards, grand opera, and even songs in other languages.

The choir opened with an arrangement by Mike Deakin of Wild Rover, a traditional song.

They then launched into a programme that embraced a wide variety of musical styles, from the exuberance and energy of Mambo Italiano by Bob Merril, to the tender lyricism of such numbers as The Rose by Amanda McBroom, Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma, and a beautiful setting of Laurence Binyon’s words We Will Remember Them by Jonathan Millican.

Interspersed with the choir numbers were two stunning performances by the hugely talented Gala Trio.

Gabrielle Sanders on oboe, Anne-Louise Rothwell on clarinet, and Angela Turner on flute, thrilled the audience with their warm and lively rendition of Haydn’s London Trio no. 3.

They also played Divertimento by Graham Powning, showcasing their vivid, characterful playing in the virtuosic opening movement, through the soulful and meditative middle movement, and ending with the joyous and humorous finale.

Dalston Male Voice Choir also enjoyed singing in the church.

Chip Errington-Dodds, their chairman, said: “It’s a wonderful venue, and it’s been a very appreciative audience.”

Mike Deakin added: “It’s a pleasure to sing here, and we’ve been warmly received.”

Bryan Rothwell, rector of the Solway Plain Parishes and rural dean, said: “It was lovely to hold this concert in Christ Church.

“The church offers a comfortable and welcoming space for a wide variety of activities and an ideal venue for concerts.”

A total of £827 was raised in aid of church funds.

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