A full weekend of celebrations started on the Friday as part of the 25th Ripley Music Festival where we were joined, at All Saints Church Ripley, by Bestwood Male Voice Choir and a guest soloist May Smith Pedley.  The programme and performances were just right and the audience were very appreciative. It was difficult to pick a highlight as there were so many but our Hymn to The Waters was a great start. We were mesmerised by the sound from Bestwood Male Voice and I am sure we will all hear more in the future from the very talented May.

Saturday saw Sonara go further afield to Stretton near Burton on Trent to another beautiful church where we were singing with another great choir – Gresely Male Voice Choir.  Sonara performed
on a few from the previous programme but we got to enjoy Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy at both concerts.  Our closing joint item of You Raise Me Up, was really apt for a lovely weekend of singing.
 
We finished off the weekend end with our Summer Soiree at Sue’s house.  As always, Sue made us all very welcome as we shared food, friendship and laughter together.  Jan was on top form with
her quizzes and Sue had organised a beautiful birthday cake for Sonara Singers, and, just like any birthday party, we had to take the cake home with us, we were already full.
 
We have a short Summer break and will be back singing in August and getting ready for our next event.

What a fabulous evening of song we shared with Rolls Royce Ladies Choir on Saturday May 16th to raise money for the incredible charity  – Women’s Work Derby.

Much of the programme highlighted amazing women in music and themes of acceptance and support. These are at the heart of both the choirs and the great work that the charity does.

Women’s Work support vulnerable women and families by providing essential skills and helping instil confidence to truly flourish in lives.

There were amazing versions of the Weather Girls’“It’s raining men”, Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams”, “ This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman and the timeless classic “You Raise Me up”
The sentiment of the joint finale of  Dona Nobis Pacem – “grant us peace” was a fitting close to an uplifting evening of superb singing from both choirs.

An excerpt recording of the concert can be listened below.