By Lorna Firth

The Courtyard Arts Centre was buzzing with excitement as nine very varied choirs assembled for Sing Choir Sing!, a concert organised in aid of two community arts charities: The Courtyard Trust and The Music Pool.

The evening got off to an excellent start as Trinity Primary School charmed everyone with an exuberant and happy performance in the foyer. Their fresh young voices filled the space and set the mood for the rest of the evening.

More young singers, Hereford Youth Choir, began the concert and the audience enjoyed their lively, dramatic show and film songs.

The mood changed completely as Academia Musica presented their beautifully balanced a-capella singing.

The Garrick Singers performed a varied, moving and thoughtful programme that demonstrated so well the fellowship and pleasure gained from singing.

Then, Choral Diversity burst on to the stage, full of energy and glitter, to sing a wonderful medley to end the first half - dramatic and beautifully presented.

Decibelles’ skilful delicate singing (also a-capella) was a real treat, especially the beautiful and moving Prayer of the Children.

The Singing Tree brought us a real contrast of moods ending up with Widdecombe Fair (complete with hats!) which the audience really enjoyed.

Then on swaggered the stripey-shirted Hay Shantymen who gave a wonderfully enjoyable performance full of energy and humour.

The concert ended with Hereford Soul Choir, who had the whole audience clapping and tapping and sent everyone home on a ‘high’!

Interspersed with the choirs were two wonderful young soloists: Stephanie Millington and Lucas Abbott from X-Entricity’s new show West Side Story (at The Courtyard in June), with the event most ably compered by their director Steve Liddle.

The whole evening was a delight, demonstrating beyond doubt the great joy to be gained from singing together, and the great wealth of talent here in Herefordshire.