This year we introduced a Spring Concert at North Camp Methodist.Church in order to have a first outing for the songs that we plan to sing in the competition at the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival over the May bank holiday weekend.. Those new items are a Hampshire folk song, "The Willow Tree", which has been specially arranged for us by local musician Simon Hancock in memory of the late Brian Carter who was a long term choir member; "Pueri Hebraeorum" , a rather difficult polyphonic number by Palestrina; the well known male voice standard "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" ;  and "Soon Ah Will Be Done",  an African American Spiritual arranged by William Dawson who was the first African American Doctor of Music.
As well as the competition pieces, the audience were treated to renditions of Broadway and West End numbers ("Cole Porter Medley", "On The Street Where You Live" and "Bring Him Home"); songs from round the world ("Aberystwyth", "Kalinka", "What Would I Do Without My Music ", "Londonderry Air", "Wellerman" , "The Wild Rover"), Music of Faith ("With A Voice Of Singing " and "My Lord What A Mornin' " ) from the Choir plus three items from The Hash Tones, our small sub-choir (Didn't My Lord Eliver Daniel", "Were You There",  and "Myfanwy").
Sadly the second half was interrupted by an invidual throwing rocks through the stained glass windows behind the choir. Although some glass landed on the choir seats and one lady in the audience was struck on the hand by a rock there were no serious injuries and, after a short break, the choir was able to continue with the concert. Despite the rude interruption the audience was able to really enjoy the concert and we were pleased to learn that the police were able to identify a named suspect who will be investigated.