NEARLY 70 current and former members of Launceston Choral Society celebrated 20 years of choral singing at a dinner at the Eagle House Hotel recently. Many had travelled considerable distances to be present including one former member who now lives in France.

In proposing the toast to the choral society, Les Carlyon wittily recalled some of the more memorable events and concerts from the last 20 years as well as digressing into his own special singing technique and describing the characteristics of musical directors most appreciated by singers in choirs.

In replying, chairman, Mike Warne, recalled the great contributions made to the society by Doris Oldland, its second musical director, Wendy Langford as original accompanist and treasurer, and Don Harris as chairman, all of whom had passed away since the tenth anniversary celebrations.

There followed a superb cabaret of items performed by members. David Jones performed Stanley Holloway's 'My Word You Do Look Queer' and Flanders & Swann's Gnu and Armadillo songs. Veronica and Raymond Jones sang 'Master of the 'Ouse' from Les Misérables. Margaret Parfitt sang Andre Lloyd Webber's lovely 'Love Changes Everything.' There was a spirited 'Marche Militaire' piano duet from Lizzie Jones and Judith Lambourne, a wistful Irish folk song from Danny Lang and Ruth Wood and Margaret Parker strolled down the avenue in true Judy Garland style.

Other memorable solos came from Andy Dunning, singing in excellent French and Raymond Jones with 'Some Enchanted Evening' from South Pacific. Dottie de Vries read 'The Alto's Lament' and Barbara Asprey appeared as her alter ego, Mrs Merryweather, complete with yellow rubber gloves!

St Mary's Select, comprising singers who were also current or former members St Mary Magdalene Church Choir and of the Choral Society, made a joyful noise with their two items, 'Cantate Domino' and 'Come let's rejoice.'

The evening finished with all the singers present, conducted by Veronica Jones, the society's original musical director, joining together in the choruses 'Non Nobis Domine' by Roger Quilter, 'The Heavens are telling' and 'Achieved is the Glorious Work' from Haydn's 'Creation' and finishing with the roof raising 'Hallelujah Chorus' from Handel's 'Messiah,' a fitting end to a wonderful evening's celebration of singing in Launceston.

Launceston Choral Society's next concert is this coming Saturday (November 14) when they will be performing music by William and Andrew Lloyd Webber. There will then be a Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 12. In 2010 the society will be performing Mendelssohn's 'Elijah' with local baritone, Darren Jeffery, in the title role. Darren usually sings with Glyndebourne Opera but has been given special permission to sing with the society on Saturday, June 12 — an event not to be missed.