On Sunday afternoon we once more gathered choirs together at Penge Festival of Music 2024, but this time it was the turn of the adult groups. 

   Penge Chamber Choir was joined by Bromley Male Voices and, from Crystal Palace, Choir on the Hill. The three choirs wowed the audience (and each other) with their vocal feats, singing an eclectic programme in very different styles. 

   The concert began with another performance of the Wellerman, bringing all three groups together. The sound of the massed voices set the concert off in rousing style, and the children in the audience who knew the song enjoyed being able to hum along with the adults.

   Choir on the Hill, a friendly women’s community choir, sang a number of arrangements of pop songs including Make Your Own Kind of Music, We are Family, and Jolene. The sound the group made in the church was splendid and they were stylishly led from the piano by Isolde Roxby. We all felt uplifted and in a good mood after that!

   Next we experienced the ethereal sound of the male voice choir, a rare treat. The programme of Bromley Male Voices included Unchained Melody, Anthem from Chess, and an arrangement of the 1957 hit song Seventy-Six Trombones. The sound they produced was gorgeous and their programme challenging and varied. The choir was sensitively accompanied on the piano by Clare Wibberley, and they were led by Bromley Youth Music Trust's Simon Sundermann who sang as well. 

   Penge Chamber Choir took the last group slot with a programme that explored Western musical traditions from 16th century Europe to a present day arrangement of Hushabye Mountain from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The group was led by Jess Blake and the music was given an entertaining introduction by Ben Byram-Wigfield. And as usual, there was a song by Heinrich Schütz, Jess’ favourite choral composer. 

   Next came Mozart's moving Ave Verum, in which Bromley Male Voices joined Penge Chamber Choir, and were beautifully accompanied by Alan Langridge on the wonderful Penge Congregational Church organ.

   To finish this joyous celebration of singing and singers, all three groups came together to sing an arrangement of I Got Rhythm. 

   It was a wonderful afternoon of fellowship and music, and a reminder that music is profoundly important to so many people. The choirs inspired one another and the common goal of high-quality music-making brought us all together in a way that only music can do.