5 November 2018

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

More than 110 singers joined voices when three choirs combined for a very special concert at St Mary’s Church, East Grinstead.

East Grinstead Choral Society hosted a visit by Coral Cypsella from East Grinstead’s Catalan twin town Sant Feliu, and they were joined at the concert by children from St Mary’s C of E Primary School Choir on Saturday 3 November.

The sell-out audience, which included East Grinstead Town Mayor Rex Whittaker, were treated to a wide range of music ranging from Oliver! and choral masses, to traditional Catalan songs and even Glenn Miller’s Moonlight Serenade sung in Catalan.

The children from St Mary’s performed two solo numbers Oleo, a traditional African chant, and Londonderry Air, which is also known as Danny Boy.

The three choirs came together for the final song, John Rutter’s The Lord bless you and keep you.

East Grinstead Choral Society Chair, Gill Olliver, said it had been a very special occasion and the audience gave the three choirs a lengthy ovation at the end.

“‘We had a wonderful evening,” said Gill. “East Grinstead Choral Society was proud to welcome Coral Cypsella from our twin town St Feliu and the children from St Mary’s C of E Primary School Choir to sing in our joint concert. The blending of the choirs was a truly uplifting experience.”

Musical directors from each of the choirs – Richard Jenkinson from EGCS, Visi Diaz from Coral Cypsella and Tanya Johnston from St Mary’s – all conducted during the evening.

The concert was the culmination of a long weekend visit to East Grinstead by around 70 singers, friends and families from Sant Feliu. On arrival, East Grinstead Town Twinning Society hosted a reception at East Court and Town Mayor Rex Whittaker presented them with Meridian Line certificates to confirm that they had stood astride the famous line of longitude that runs through East Court.

East Grinstead Choral Society’s year will be rounded off with a Family Christmas Concert at Imberhorne Lower School on Saturday 8 December, when they will again by joined by St Mary’s C of E Primary School choir.

East Grinstead Choral Society rehearses every Thursday evening during term time from 7.30pm to 9.45pm at the Jubilee Community Centre, East Grinstead, and new members would be made very welcome. To find out more, visit www.egcs.co.uk or find them on Facebook.

IN HARMONY: The three choirs filled St Mary’s Church, East Grinstead, with music.