newsletter > Winter 2002 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT When Sheila asked the audience at the recent Kentwood Kracker to stand and welcome Her Majesty The Queen, I am sure that there were many in the audience who really thought that, with Sheila and Kentwood, anything is possible. That, of course, is almost true. Sadly, Elizabeth R was not able to make it on this occasion, but wasn’t her replacement someone very special. I thought that she was absolutely lovely and, for me, she was certainly the icing on another highly successful Kentwood Kake! What a year the choir have had - I seem to say that year after year, but this one has been particularly special and I thought that I would mention just a few of my own personal highlights although there is never a Kentwood concert when I don’t go home feeling better than when I arrived - and I am sure that applies to the vast majority of the audiences as well. Two concerts in March; one at the impressive new Church of Christ at Abbey Meads and the other at the Wyvern Theatre with the excellent Central Band of the Royal Air Force were wonderful evenings. I delayed my holiday in July so that I was able to play for the concert in Hereford and it was certainly worth missing two days in the Isle of Wight! We travelled to Boscombe for a truly inspirational concert with their Salvation Army Band, one of the best SA bands that I have ever heard, followed by two most enjoyable Autumn Charity Concerts for the Juniors at The Blunsdon House Hotel for The Masons and North Wiltshire Rotary, particularly seeing the new Youth Choir for the first time singing Fame - wow! However, for all of us in any way connected with the choir, I am sure the evening of Sunday 20th October 2002 will live with us for ever - the opportunity to sing in The Royal Albert Hall to a packed audience in The Concert of a Lifetime - John Dankworth and Cleo Laine’s Golden Music Jubilee. To be part of such a special evening with so many wonderful musicians and celebrities was indeed a real honour and privilege - almost as special as meeting The Queen……..maybe 2003!! A very happy Christmas to you all and we look forward to a peaceful New Year in 2003. Geoff Walters <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL My Dear Friends, What a wonderful Christmas Cracker! I was emotionally moved at the end of the second performance. The whole evening was very joyful and Christmassy and everyone went home with a spring in their step. I was very pleased with ‘Kentwood Centre Stage’ - an excellent show by my standards. I must thank everyone concerned with the running of Kentwood, especially Chris and thank you, the Patrons, for all your love and support. A special thanks will always go to my Kentwood Choir for all their very hard work, love and dedication. Kentwood is very special in every respect. Long may they reign! May I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and healthy and happy New Year. See you in 2003. Much love, Sheila <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> JOHN AND CLEO’S GOLDEN MUSIC JUBILEE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON HELD ON 20 OCTOBER 2002 “One glorious day, oh such a day A day that faith and love will win We want to be part of the music When the saints go marching in” It’s not every day that you get to sing at the Royal Albert Hall – and on the stage, rather than the choir stalls behind! So it was with a mixture of anxiety and excitement that I boarded the coach that Sunday morning as we set off for London. Now, it’s sad to admit this, but previously I had never been inside the Albert Hall. Of course, I’d seen it’s exterior many times, and the interior is familiar to anyone who’s seen the ‘Proms’ on TV. Yet walking in to the auditorium for rehearsal simply took my breath away: the vast scale, the plush décor, and the elegant design were all beyond my expectations. Before rehearsals began, some sad news – Michael Parkinson, who had been due to compere the evening, would not be appearing due to his wife’s ill health. Ned Sherrin had been drafted in as a replacement. A further surprise was sprung on us as Sheila told us we had now been asked to sing an extra short song – so words and music were quickly learnt in true Kentwood style!! Still, a long afternoon’s rehearsal session soon got underway, tedious at times but obviously necessary. And through it all John Dankworth was ever present, working ceaselessly and patiently to put it all together. What an example of gentlemanly professionalism – and fortitude! Halfway through rehearsals, while singing and employing a bit of Kentwood choreography, I noticed a few glances emanating from our companion choir for the day, the London Gay Men’s Chorus, who were also singing at this point. Now, there is no way that we consider ourselves great movers, but they must have been impressed, as I overheard their pianist saying “No, not like that, do it like them!” and demonstrating what we were doing. Pollyann would have been proud of us!! Unfortunately, rehearsals lasted so long that we found ourselves short of time to eat – so a mad (and, in some cases, unsuccessful) scramble for food outlets began. The hot dog van was raided, the bars were emptied of baguettes, and local café-owners were startled by a sudden influx of desperate provincials clearly ready to eat anything they could get their hands on. Soon the moment came to walk out on to the stage – and what a surprise as we did so to be greeted by some familiar and friendly Swindon faces who had made the trek along the M4 to cheer us on! As I stood there, waiting for the show to begin, looking out at a sea of faces, my heart was pounding and my palms were damp with anticipation. What a night! Then, finally, we got underway. And what a show it was. My personal highlights were Jacqueline Dankworth’s beautiful rendition of one of my favourite Joni Mitchell songs, ‘The River’, and Bruce Forsyth’s highly entertaining performance. Plus, of course, the sheer artistry and command of Dame Cleo Laine as she performed a richly varied selection of songs in the second half of the show. Of course, we were there to sing, not just enjoy the show – and sing we did! Though our slots were brief, I felt we put everything into the music, and hopefully did ourselves proud. It really was an experience to remember. After the show, we got the opportunity to mingle with the great and the good in the bar – among the faces we were trying desperately not to gawk at were Sir George Martin, Bruce Forsyth, and Paul Merton. As we walked back to our dressing room, some of us managed to get a last peek at the auditorium from the balcony, and the magnitude of the occasion hit home once again. So for me, it really was a “glorious day” which I will never forget. Who’d have thought all those years ago that Swindon’s little Kentwood Choir would one day appear alongside musical legends at one of the most prestigious venues in Britain? What an achievement for Sheila, the choir, and all our family members and patrons who support and encourage us week-in, week-out. We should all be proud. Clarry Bean <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Letter received from Dame Cleo Laine dated 26 October 2002 Dearest Sheila, Now that we have had a few days to calm down after all that excitement, I feel that we should let the artistes know how much they contributed to that excitement. I didn’t get a good chance to have a chat and say how one again you and your ladies [sorry, gents (Chris)] are quite wonderful, giving any evening you perform in a lift and boost that always come when it’s most needed. I spoke to some of the girls as they left the reception after the show - I guess to get on the bus home - and they all seemed very excited. JD and I can’t thank you enough for all your loyalty and love that you send out to us. Chris must be so proud of you and you for him the way he looks after you all. It was a very successful evening and in no small measure did you contribute to that success. Please give my love to the girls [sorry again, gents (Chris)] with our undying thanks to you and Chris for everything. Much love, Cleo <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Letter received from Dougie Squires, the Director of “Cleo & John’s Golden Music Jubilee” Dear Sheila and Gang. This is a bit late as I have been abroad for the last seven days. But this doesn’t dim my appreciation and sincere thanks for your choir’s great appearance at Cleo and John’s Gala last week at the Albert Hall. It was great to work with you. Thank you. Dougie <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> An amusing story told by John Dankworth at a concert that Sheila and I attended at the Stables Theatre, Wavendon on the evening prior to the Royal Albert Hall concert In these days when we hear so much about the effect of inflation on our lives, I thought you might like to hear a story about an inflatable boy. One morning he left his inflatable house to go to his inflatable school. As he approached it he met his inflatable schoolmaster whom he detested. The inflatable boy pulled out an inflatable pin and thrust it into the inflatable schoolmaster who, with a great rush of escaping air, shrivelled to the inflatable pavement. The inflatable boy hated school and decided not to go any more so he went up to the inflatable school building and, once again, thrust his inflatable pin into the inflatable wall. With a huge explosion of air, the inflatable school disintegrated. The inflatable boy looked at the remains and was suddenly overcome by a feeling of remorse at what he had done. Unable to face up to what he had done, he thrust the inflatable pin into himself and he too shrivelled to the ground in a great rush of air. As it happened, an inflatable policeman was at hand who quickly called an inflatable ambulance and the inflatable boy was rushed to the nearest inflatable hospital. A few hours later the inflatable boy awoke on his inflatable bed. He looked around him and was dismayed to discover that in the next inflatable bed was the inflatable headmaster. The inflatable headmaster looked at the inflatable boy and in a very irate voice said, “I am very disappointed in you, boy!. Not only have you let both me and the school down but you’ve let yourself down as well!” Chris Harrod <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> KENTWOOD CHOIR ASSOCIATION AGM – SUMMARY The AGM was held on Tuesday 22 October 2002 at the St Margaret’s Centre, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon. The financial position of the Choir remained very sound. Various shows and concerts by both the Senior and Junior Choirs and promoted by Kentwood, excluding the Spring and November Wyvern Shows, enabled £4946 to be donated to various charities. In addition to this figure, we had been advised that over £26000 was raised during the year from concerts at which the choir either provided its services free of charge or for expenses only. We are currently in the process of replacing several items of choir uniform and the cost of this will be met by choir members and subsidies from choir funds. At a recent meeting of the Trustees of the Kentwood Choir Trust, the decision was taken to regretfully wind up the Trust. This was very unfortunate but it was felt that the Trust was not meeting the objectives for which it was established in 1996. The closure of the Trust will mean that a decision will have to be taken by the Trustees as to the disposal of the balance of £8161 held in the Trust’s account. Suggestions have been sought and any received will be considered at their next meeting. Our Musical Director and Principal, Sheila, said that the past year had been another very successful one and the choir was still improving with the new teaching methods reaping rewards with individual students and consequently the choir as a whole. Sheila’s personal highlights during the year were the concert at the Courtyard Theatre, Hereford for the Rotary Club charities and the concert at the Boscombe Salvation Army Citadel in Bournmouth at which many people had fond memories of her dad and the choir’s late President, George Snook. There are plans for the choir to make two CDs during 2003 including a Christmas one. Sheila was very pleased with the way in which the choir continues to develop in all its various forms with the future looking very bright indeed. Yvonne Walker <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> NOVEMBER SHOW – “KENTWOOD CENTRE STAGE” WYVERN THEATRE Review from the Evening Advertiser The only word suitable is “WOW”. Sometimes a little word can mean so much. The word WOW for instance. It is not often I’m blown away by an amateur production in this town. Kentwood does after all consist of singers who may be your neighbour or mine. Hence the amateur bit. They have families, work and above all else a commitment to their choir. They couldn’t do it if they didn’t. How does Sheila do it? Every year she comes up with an array of musical delights that are sung to perfection, every word heard and note perfect. This year I felt she had surpassed previous shows and they’ve been pretty good. To get most things right is difficult, to get everything right is almost unheard of. Well Sheila and Kentwood Choir you did. Every aspect of this show was professional and very together. The lighting was superb, staging and choreography simple but effective. The band under the direction of choir president Geoff Walters superb and the costumes spot on – not always the case in past shows. Now what more can I say. I usually mention a few names but not this time. It would be grossly unfair to all those soloists and groups who didn’t get one. Not a duff turn in sight, all night, as they say. The diversity of the music and singers moved this show forward from the opening number. It never wavered in content or expertise. We had comedy which was brilliant, opera fantastic and an array of toe tapping, hand clapping songs to go with the beautiful ballads. The little ones and members of the junior choir performed as only they can, enchanting. Eyes never moved from where they should be, showing an on stage discipline some adults could take notice of. Full choir numbers were powerful and some incredibly moving. I do believe that at times the audience were quite spellbound. That little pause before the applause erupts is always an indication that they are lost in what is happening on stage. No fidgets, oh, except for the occasional rustle of a sweet packet. Now that is annoying, especially during a quiet moment. The Kentwood Choir and Sheila Harrod will go on and on, performing in venues around the country, small or extremely large, as in the recent trip to The Albert Hall. Swindon should be proud of them. Sheila can be proud of her choir and every member, young, old and even older can be proud of themselves. Congratulations to all those involved in the production of this fabulous evening of entertainment including the designer of the innovative circular programme. As for Sheila’s favourite saying “Music is a fair and glorious gift from God” - too right. Ros Hollands <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Congratulations to Kentwood Choir I write as just an insignificant person who is lucky enough to know Yvonne Walker and come to your fabulous concert at the Wyvern Theatre each year. This year I brought a friend in her sixties along and my seventeen year old daughter, and both of them thought the show was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed every moment, every song, the costumes, the movement, the humour, well just everything! You really must be congratulated on getting everything so right. You are all obviously committed, but you put it all over so well to such a wide spectrum of people and ages, and the inclusion of the young ones was a bonus. Really great show and so enjoyed, I really think you are all professional, but I did hear you performed at the Royal Albert Hall this year, so my congratulation may seem a little small, but I just wanted to say a big thank you for the pleasure you give with your music and your voices. Wonderful entertainment, and each year I think you get better and better, and when the show is over I wish it never had to stop, and I want to shout and cheer, but your audience is rather proper, so I just clap as loudly as I can, because you are the greatest. Look forward to 2003! Best wishes Liz Barnes (Dursley, Gloucestershire) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Email received from Australia Dear Sheila, I was fortunate enough to be visiting Swindon when this years show was on. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the professional performance of all the cast. The evening spent at the Wyvern was most enjoyable. Thank you for a wonderful evening’s entertainment. Barbara Paddon (Melbourne Australia) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Sheila and the choir received many cards and letters wishing us good luck and congratulations but this must surely be a wind-up!! (The programme was printed on a circular card) Dear Mrs Harold, What a wonderful show, last night was my first visit to see Kentwood and I enjoyed every minute. I think it is a wonderful idea to sell a LP of the show (I don’t have a CD player) but I can’t get mine to play. I put a hole in the middle (which spoilt your picture) but the needle doesn’t seem to find the grooves. Please will you send me a replacement. F. Sharpe (Major) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> THE CHRISTMAS CRACKER AT THE WYVERN THEATRE For those of you who weren’t able to see or participate in this year’s Christmas Cracker missed a truly enjoyable couple of hours. Again Sheila rang the changes and decided that this year we would celebrate, through the medium of music, all the traditions that occur at Christmas time. We greeted the true meaning of Christmas with ‘Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord’ from ‘Godspell and Handel’s ‘Joy to the World’. We enjoyed a new look Christmas Trio with Louise, Tina and Susannah interrupted by some carol singers from the Junior Choir. The Christmas dinner was not forgotten and the oldest person at each performance was presented with an invitation for dinner for two at Blunsdon House. Not to be outdone we had our very own live chicken trying to avoid the gamekeeper’s shotgun - I think the chicken won! Christmas is never the same without a brass section and Collegium Brass ably fitted the bill again for us. Of course Kentwood tradition dictates that we bring out our perennial fairies and thanks to Kathy and Class Disney this year we were entertained with ‘Red Cheeks and White Whiskers’. We remembered families at Christmas with the Kentwood families of Bean, Gough, Balfe, Lloyd and Dodson who joined forces for ‘Infant Holy’. ‘Day by Day’ from ‘Godspell’ brought up the interval which focused on the people who need to work on Christmas day. What a good idea of Sheila’s to let the choir mingle with the audience and some were lucky enough to have hot punch and mince pies. The ‘Scrooge Anthem’ resounded through the theatre and the second half had begun. Tiny Tim also put in an appearance to represent the sick and infirm at Christmas. What else do we traditionally expect at Christmas? Of course the Queen’s speech and not to be beaten Sheila acquired the assistance of Jeannette Charles, the number one impersonator of Her Majesty. She delivered the speech (written by Clarry - see below) in her own inimitable style and graced us with her presence for the rest of the evening. The Youth Choir performed the German song ‘Oh Christmas Tree’ followed by a wonderful performance of ‘Steal Away’ by a group from the Choir. Christmas would not be the same without a visit from Father Christmas and his toy helpers and we were able to give them our presents for the Women’s Refuge during the singing of ‘Children Go Where I Send Thee’. Robert sang ‘Grateful’ a modern Christmas message and Louise performed ‘The Holy City’ a must for Kentwood at Christmas. The singing of the usual traditional Christmas carols were interdispersed throughout the Cracker and the whole evening concluded with that well loved carol ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful’ and the Choir’s version of ‘Saviour’s Day’ which is of course what it’s all about. Again, a night to remember. Yvonne Walker <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> THE QUEEN’S SPEECH FOR KENTWOOD - 8 DECEMBER 2002 As I approach the end of a memorable Jubilee year, I would like to express my gratitude to you all for your invitation for my husband and I to join you here in Swindon at this charming little event. I must say that I am a little unprepared as my lady-in-waiting mistakenly informed me that I was due to open a new hospital. We just spent twenty minutes trying to locate the wards before a very nice young man guided me to the stage. It was in fact my husband who first mentioned the words ‘Kentwood Choir’ to me after arriving back at one of my Palaces rather later than expected one night in June last year, following a night out at the theatre. As it was one of many celebrations to mark his 80th birthday, I attributed the fact that I couldn’t understand what he was saying to his having had one too many sherries under the wayward influence of Paul Daniels. It was only when the corgis and I quizzed him over breakfast the following morning that he was able to explain exactly what it was that had woken him up in the Royal Box the night before. As I recall, his words were something along the lines of “Crikey - that Kentwood Choir - what a rousing racket they make. And I’ve not seen anything like their leader’s facial expressions since we were last in New Zealand with those Maoris”. And so, of course, I simply had to accept this opportunity to come along and witness the Choir myself, and I must say how pleased I am to have done so. For one to be treated to such a lovely evening’s entertainment in one’s Jubilee year prompts me to thanks my loyal subjects out here in the provinces for the affection displayed to all the Royal family. Indeed, some of you may at this moment be concerned as to the whereabouts of my husband - as am I. Unfortunately we lost him while negotiating one of your charming local landmarks which I believe is commonly referred to as the ‘Magic Roundabout’. One of the Royal bodyguards has been despatched in search of him, and so I am sure he’ll be found safe and well before long. Although I have enjoyed much of this evening’s fare, I must say how relieved I am that my dear son Charles did not accompany us here tonight. He would have found the appearance of the chap with the gun chasing the chicken simply too exciting and may well have joined in with a Tally-Ho or two. I do regret not bringing one or two of the corgis with me though - I am sure that they would have appreciated more than I can some of the more distressingly high notes emanating from the soprano section. It has certainly been an experience for me meeting Miss Sheila Harrod. It is always a pleasure to encounter someone with who one has so much in common - such as a mutual love of charities, a refusal to carry money and a positive aversion to all forms of public transport. I would like to conclude my visit to Swindon in my Jubilee year by breaking with protocol and announcing to you all that my new Year’s Honour’s list will contain the name of Dame Sheila Harrod. I would like to, but I can’t, as it is the Prime Minister and not I who chooses the great and the good to receive such recognition. Perhaps next year you ought to invite that nice Mr Blair to come and attend one of your concerts, and then, who knows? I shall conclude instead, then, by saying God speed, and wishing a very Merry Christmas to you all. Finally, I hereby convey my Royal Seal of Approval on the Kentwood Choir. God bless her and all who sail in her.