FOLLOWING the 30th birthday concert of The Stanborough Chorus, past and present members held their own celebration.

Founding member Pat Janes made a birthday cake and the honour of the first cut was given to the founder of the chorus, Rosemary Cole, and musical director Christopher Fletcher.

An evening full of new faces and music to raise the roof, the concert saw the percussion ensemble fill St. Edmunds Church with full volume and make an exciting accompaniment to the voices of the choir, soloists and Girls Chamber Choir.

Elizabeth Bewley-Jones, chair, said: ‘The inclusion of the delightful students from Kingsbridge Community College was an inspiration. Their lovely young voices fitted perfectly at the appropriate moments of Carl Orff’s, Carmina Burana.

‘The two pianists tackled the complicated score with enthusiasm and delight. The soloists were outstanding and gave much pleasure to the capacity audience.’

The Vocal Festival, which the Stanborough Chorus put on annually, aims to provide music to the community that is not always available in a town like Kingsbridge and to encourage young people to further their musical education.

EBJ commented: ‘These aims were certainly accomplished last Saturday.’

The Stanborough Chorus now looks to their Christmas programme, which will include a concert in Thurlestone on Friday, December 11, a service for The Primrose Foundation in Buckfast Abbey on Saturday, December 12, and the now traditional Carols for All on Christmas Eve at St Edmund’s Church, Kingsbridge.

EBJ concluded: ‘The last 30 years have been wonderful and the chorus now looks to the future to bring more music to the community and develop its repertoire even further.’