Allegro Chamber Choir

MICHAEL DRAKE

The surprise was that this small mixed ensemble did not start with Singing In The Rain but however attracted, the listeners on Monday were treated to a variety of musical styles, amongst which was local composer Ronald Watson's anthem Gracious Spirit.

The choir gave it a flowing performance, though the continuity of the music was broken into a number of loosely linked sections.

At their best with Legato lines and quieter passages Allegro, although always singing with meticulous diction, would benefit from closer listening to each other to obtain a better balance between the voices, the vocal lines and tuning, especially in a cappella pieces.

They were happiest perhaps in a number of folk song arrangements, particularly the American River which contained some delightful piano accompaniment by Juliette Webb.

Copland's Change Ring Chaw was performed with a great sense of fun and there was a neatness about Be Thou My Vision by another local composer, Stephen Dean, in a pleasant start to a week of lunch-time recitals.