John Byron introduces the choirs
Polymnia and Milton Keynes Youth Choir gave a superb joint concert to celebrate 50 years of Milton Keynes on 20 May in St Mary & St Giles Church. The choral golden anniversary programme they offered provided a wonderful mix of secular and sacred music and the two conductors, John Byron (Polymnia) and Craig McLeish (MKYC) took it in turns to conduct or accompany the joint items, with Penny Miller accompanying the MKYC items.
Polymnia & MKYC
- The Lord is my shepherd - Howard Goodall
MK Youth Choir
MKYC
- Spell of Safekeeping - Bob Chilcott (seniors only)
- Royals - Lorde/Joel Little
- Ipharadisi - Trad South African
Polymnia
- All creatures now - Bennet
- Trois Chansons de Charles d'Orleans - Debussy
(Dieu! Qui la fait bon regarder; Quant j'ai ouy le tabourin; Yver, vous n'estes qu'un villain) - Loch Lomond - arr Ken Johnston
MK Youth Choir sing Royals
Polymnia & MKYC
- Golden Musical Memories - arr Craig McCleish
Interval
Polymnia & MKYC
- As the bridegroom to his chosen - John Rutter
Polymnia
- Ubi Caritas - Gjeilo
- Summertime - Gershwin
Polymnia
MKYC
- Spell to bring lost creatures home - Bob Chilcott (Seniors only)
- Electricity - Elton John
- Viva la vida - Coldplay
Polymnia & MKYC (treble, soprano & altos)
- Adiemus - Karl Jenkins
Polymnia & MKYC
- Excerpts from Les Miserables - Claude-Michel Schonberg
Polymnia
Both choirs sang very well and it was good for the young singers to get an opportunity to sing with very experienced adult singers. I particularly enjoyed the Les Miserables medley which had all the right energy and focus from all the singers.
Thank you to all the volunteers who looked after front of house. We raised £168.61 via the interval refreshments for organ maintenance, the choirs shared the ticket sales between them.
More photos can be found in Choral Gold for MK50
Words and photos by Anna Page
Polymnia and MKYC after Les Miserables
