THE first concert of Plymouth Philharmonic Choir’s 50th Anniversary Year, a sea-themed programme of music was chosen, was all set to launch the first of the choir’s two contributions to the city’s Mayflower 400 celebrations.

However, due to the cancellation of events because of the coronavirus pandemic, the choir – many of whom live in Cornwall – swapped the Guildhall’s grandeur for comfort, as they performed ‘A Concert In Our Homes’.

Keith Watterson, the choir’s concert manager, started the evening with a very witty announcement to the anticipated audience of 37 dogs, 15 cats, two budgerigars, one grey parrot, a very quiet Norwegian Blue, 174 Teddy Bears and several bemused teenagers.

Christopher Fletcher, the choir’s musical director, who had apparently been seen earlier in the week practising for the event by conducting his wooden spoons, eggs and vegetables, was in a reflective mood when he said: "They say that you only realise how much something means to you when it is taken away."

Brian Gerry, the choir’s president, dedicated the occasion to all those people in the NHS and other key workers.

Photographs of the singers, many dressed in sea colours for the concert, have been shared in a montage on the choir’s Facebook page.

Catherine Hamilton, the highly-acclaimed international soprano soloist, who was to be singing with the choir, joined in the fun by sending a selfie.

The concert was like no other of the nearly 200 performed by this choir during its long history.

It was special, unique and bonded choir members together during these times of social distancing.