Rosemary Downes (Choir Member) - St Andrews Church, Barnwell, 2019
There was a most welcoming gathering at the glorious St Andrews Church for my first concert in the community. Since joining in March I have practiced the songs that are instructed so beautifully and precisely by Gareth. I had held back in joining the choir out and about because I felt that I didn’t know enough and questioned whether I would remember what I had been taught. Well, surprise surprise, there were indeed a few songs sung at Barnwell that I had never heard. But I needn’t have worried; the choir is so friendly, kind and supportive, and led by the amazing Gareth, that everyone happily pulls together. This enabled me to easily relax into the guidance and go along with the flow of the song. Our fabulous soloists are a joy and sang to their hearts delight, cheering all.
What a wonderful, warm response from the audience who gladly joined in and were up on their feet, singing and clapping.
A glass of wine in the interval was an unexpected pleasure. I have only gratitude for this joyous evening, it was perfect. I am also very grateful to Gareth and the team for their constant support from behind the scenes. Thankyou. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year!
Jean Rowton (Choir Member) - NSO concert, 2019
Uplifting! Joyous! …proud! The feelings of taking part in the NSO concert this year at the Derngate. It’s the town’s principle entertainment venue – and we filled it on a Saturday night!The highlight was surely singing the acapella arrangements which raised the roof. And yes, we did sound fantastic! Knowing glances amongst singers, and thumbs up from Choir Director, Gareth (not to mention the applause) confirmed we’d done a good job! Week after week Gareth has nudged us onwards to achieve the highest standards. And on Saturday it all came together…170 singers on stage, raising the roof one minute, and providing sensitive backing harmony for soloists the next. It provided a buzz like nothing else!
Jules Patenhall (Audience) - NSO concert, 2019
Wow NSO! Last night was absolutely out of this world! The bar has definitely been raised yet again. It struck me how professional everyone looked, so funky, smart and elegant (and I loved the band in NSO t-shirts). Everyone was really performing. The energy was amazing from start to finish both on the stage and within the audience. You rocked so much there were moments when I thought I was watching the London Community Gospel Choir! 🙂 The choreography was ace and really brought a fabulous new dimension to The Show. The soloists again raised the bar and all owned the stage..I had goosebumps at many points watching them, it was mesmerizing! The extreme hard work that everyone put in certainly paid off. Congratulations all!
Jackie Hargreaves (Choir Member) – NSO workshop, 2019
There is no doubt in my mind that the residential weekend helped us raise our game as a choir. Daniel’s exuberant coaching on Saturday had us getting up close and personal with our neighbours as part of a vigorous warmup and encouraged us to get in touch with the songs in a way that extended us physically, mentally and emotionally. We were required to dig deep to connect with our own emotions, to find the “story” and perform it in our voices and gestures. This made us at times feel vulnerable and uncomfortable and challenged us to shed our so called “British reserve” but brought out the best in the choir.
Gareth also worked us hard on the Sunday. We sang until we dropped but I found it a joyous and, at times, emotional experience. The other really important part of the weekend for me was the chance to get to know each other better and deepen our connections. I was exhausted afterwards!
I am really grateful for all the hard work that has been done in organising this weekend. I am sure the benefits will be seen and heard on November 16th. Bring it on!
Mark Firmin, Organiser of Harvest Supper, Clopton Church, 2019
What a great night! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much! Everyone loved the choir. Please pass on our grateful thanks and appreciation from all of us, to all of you.
“Bloody marvelous” one 84 year old member of the congregation said as she left at the end of the night, “Don’t think Clopton has rocked like that in years!”
Sheila Ingram (Choir Member) – Clopton Church, 2019
What a wonderful community gospel sing along we enjoyed yesterday evening at Clopton. Truly an evening to remember. Not because the choir was brilliant. Far more than that, we shared in the real life, a very important event of that village community. In almost every village throughout Great Britain the ‘Bringing in of the Harvest’ is a very special time and the opportunity for friends and neighbours to rejoice and give thanks for the fruits of the earth, and of their labours. We shared the space with the Church, the Library and, it almost seemed like, the local pub. A truly joyous occasion giving us as a choir the opportunity to act out in song the meaning of ‘gospel and community’.
Dorothy Line (Choir Member) – Northants Half Marathon, 2019
Sunday 29th September 2019 saw the choir sing and enthusiastically encourage competitors across the finishing line of the Northampton Half Marathon. Despite the continuous rain immediately before and after the event, the rain stopped for 2 hours to support the choir singing and entertaining the wet and cold supporters at Delapre Abbey as they stood waiting to greet their friends/family members across the line in aid of a multitude of charities.
Charlotte (Organiser) – Barnwell Concert, 2018
A HUGE thank you to you and your wonderful choir, as well as Gareth, for such a fantastic event on Saturday. It was just wonderful and we’d love to have you back again! My family and I will be booking tickets for the NSO concert in November too.
A huge THANK YOU to the Wellingborough Community Gospel Choir for an awesome performance last night at St Andrew’s Church in Barnwell! Your performance was so uplifting and joyous, our audience loved it. We’ve had a number of requests to have you back again already!