Cranwell MWC's Summer Concert
- Sam Wildridge
- Jul 19, 2017
- 3 min read
Wow wow wow!
What an incredible evening we had last weekend.
After months of preparation, sourcing venues, designing adverts, flyer dropping, promoting in the local farmers' market, preparing the music (and choreography!) and a last minute radio interview, we finally found ourselves preparing the beautiful St Deny's Church in Sleaford with our programmes, raffle prizes, ticket desk and staging.
We then had a quick warm up before popping next door to the hall - our very own "green room" to don our black dresses and prepare ourselves for what was about to happen.
We entered through the front of the church as all of the guests were now seated. Once we had arranged ourselves standing behind the rows of pews, the wonderfully welcoming Reverend Phil thanked everybody for coming, and asked them to "please welcome, in silence, the Cranwell Military Wives Choir.".
Our talented Musical Director- Rowland Lee, then began to conduct us into "Will Ye Go Lassie Go".
There were a few outstretched necks from people wondering where the beautiful sound was coming from, but not one member of the audience thought to look behind them! Instead they absorbed the sound that echoed around this enormous, stunning church. It certainly gave me the goosebumps!
We then made our way to the stage, where we began our first set.
We started the first half off with a step back in time- a wartime theme. This included a medley of Vera Lynn, Roses of Picardy and Daisy Bell.
We were accompanied on the piano by the very talented Reverend Gavin Cooper.
We also had two poems read by members of the choir. The first titled "Last Leave" read by Felicity, which also featured Victoria, who sang "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square", and "For The Fallen", by Robert Laurence Binyon and read by Sue.
During this set we had the privilege of having a guest soloist join us, in the form of the Principal Euphonium of the Band of the Royal Air Force College, SAC Michael Howley.
He delivered a superb performance, which was well received by the audience.
We ended the first half with a song composed by our Musical Director, Rowland Lee. It is titled "We Will Remember Them". Such a powerful piece of music which was a perfect ending to that section.
The interval consisted of homemade scones, with jam & cream- a prerequisite of our choir is cake! Thank you to our willing members who baked such delicious half time treats. There weren't many left!
The second half of the concert started off with a bang, with our Sister Act Medley, and some special choreography! Many a smile and the odd giggle in the audience showed they loved it!
We then had another poem, this time by our lovely Emma. It was titled "An Army Wife's Promise". The words were most appropriate and many of us could relate to them.
With another solo piece from SAC Michael Howley, "Donegal Bay", we then ended the concert with "Dream On", an Aerosmith classic. One audience member definitely knew her Aerosmith!
Finally we had a raffle drawn, with some tremendous prizes (thank you to all those who donated) and we offered our sincerest thanks to all of those who attended.
We were honoured to have had the Deputy Mayor of Sleaford, Councillor Anthony Brand, and his wife Mrs Harriott Brand attend, as well as the Director of Music at RAF College Cranwell, Sqn Ldr Richard Murray.
A special thank you to all of the supporters of this event, to Reverend Phil and his team- Helen, Rosie and Pam for helping with refreshments and setting up.
And finally a huge thank you to our audience for attending and supporting us in our first ever "own" concert!
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