25th Anniversary Dinner
Tally Ho! 10 July 2006
Marian's Speech in full.
"When Colin was appointed in 1981, the late Edgar Richards, who was Chairman at that time, said ‘We have backed another winner and we look forward to many years of imaginative programme planning’. He has undoubtedly been proved correct in this statement, since Colin’s direction has inspired some very successful performances and extended the Choir’s repertoire. This has included the first performance in Birmingham of David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus which was performed in Birmingham Town Hall with Kokuma Dance Group – this was actually two firsts as it had not been performed with choreographed dance before.
We have performed well known works and lesser known or rarely produced works, such as those in the last concert, but, for me, there have been one or two highlights. One was performing Mendelssohn Elijah with the Dutch Choir, another was Brahms Requiem – also a favourite piece of Colin’s - and last October’s performance of Haydn Nelson Mass – and who in the Choir will ever forget Verdi Requiem in Symphony Hall? These were truly inspirational performances and Colin’s leadership and confidence brought out the best in us all.
Sssssssssometimes (sic), in rehearsal, we wonder why he goes over and over certain parts or repeats certain phrases. Well, when my cousin, visiting from Canada, sat in with us one Monday night when we were rehearsing Verdi’s Requiem, she told me that she thought our singing was really good and couldn’t understand why Colin had stopped us and told us how to change something. Then we sang again and she thought it was terrific and was amazed at the difference the tweaking had made.
So, thank you, Colin, for 25 good and successful years and we know that there will be many more years of pleasurable singing under your guidance.
Congratulations from us all!”
Marian Dawes.