Lincoln Sounds

LINCOLN MUSIC FESTIVAL 2008

As usual, the 2008 annual Lincoln Music Festival culminated with the Barbershop Chorus section held at the Methodist Church on Friday evening, 14 March.

This is always eagerly anticipated by us as it has become a tradition between ourselves and Harmony Lincs, the Lincoln men's barbershop chorus, to 'fight' for the Andy Hodgson Trophy as top Lincolnshire barbershop chorus, and having lost to them by the narrowest of margins for the last couple of years, we were determined to reverse the trend.

Also competing were the men's Major Oak Chorus from Nottingham whose chorus director Glenn is married to our chorus director Alyson which gives the whole event an additional bit of spice.  And this year it was great to hear the ladies' Humber Bells Chorus from North East Lincolnshire who were taking part in the Music Festival for the first time.  

As Alyson is retiring as our Music Director, this was the last time we would sing in the Music Festival under her direction so we really wanted it to be a memorable occasion.

The supporters of all the choruses were as encouraging as only barbershoppers are - so there was a great atmoshphere as the competition got underway.

Harmony Lincs were first to sing and sounded better than ever, so we knew we had a fight on our hands.  Next it was the turn of the Humber Bells who had the difficult task of following the larger men's chorus, and then it was our turn.

We usually sing our Regional Convention package at the festival, but this time it was decided to change the up-tune, and started full-on with 'Love Potion No 9', followed as a complete contrast by the newest song in our repertoire, the beautiful 'If I Give My Heart to You' - only the 2nd time we'd sung it to an audience.  And judging by their reaction, it was the right decision.  But we had no way of knowing if it was good enough.

The Major Oak Chorus were the last to sing and gave their usual high quality performance. 

And then of course, there was the wait for the results which were read out by the adjudicator in reverse order after she had summarised each of the performances.  As for our performance, this is what she said:

'Love Potion Number Nine'
'We were immediately in mood here. A big sound - and a rich tone in lower parts. The tension built and burst out at 'love potion', very effective climax and change of  tempo. Wonderful change of key at the end - unexpected. Very enjoyable.
'If I give my heart to you'
This was very moving. A marvellous ending. Excellent control and beautiful singing from everyone.
A very inspiring group.
Christine Thomson (Adjudicator)
 
1st Place Score 91    (90+ OUTSTANDING - An exceptional performance, both technically and artistically)

The final placings were: 4th:  Humber Bells - 3rd: Harmony Lincs - 2nd: Major Oak - 1st: LINCOLN SOUNDS. 

Our score of 91 points was the best in the whole Music Festival.

Listening to the other choruses it was difficult to judge how well we had performed, so to say we were delighted is a slight understatement.  And of course, the trophy was displayed at every possible opportunity.