Crescendo International Choir joins La Banda Joven de Almoradi

On Saturday January 17th., Crescendo hosted a concert at the Teatro Cortez in Almoradi. Their guests were the Banda Joven de Almoradi, a very talented group of young musicians led by their musical director Luis Ramon Rodriguez. The concert was organized by choir members Sonja and Don, who live in Almoradi, with help from Irene Gil and Valerie Saunders.The concert started with a wide selection of music sung by the choir. This included two numbers in Latin and one in Spanish….the famous habanera “Huellas en la arena”(Footsteps in the sand) also included was an up-beat version of “In the Mood” and several other pieces. There was a short break while the band moved their instruments and chairs onto the stage. A few minutes tuning up and then the audience were spellbound by the music from this young local band. First they played 1492 by Vangelis, next came Bohemian Rhapsody by Freddie Mercury and then the well known Pink Panther theme by Henry Mancini. The lasting applause gave plenty of time for Crescendo to come back on stage for the band to join them for “Sin Ti” (Without You”) When the applause died down and Chas Smith the choir’s Musical Director had thanked everyone involved for their help, translated into Spanish by choir member Jennifer Morton, he said that all monies from the evening were going to the band towards new instruments. The door money amounted to 639 euro, then Chas asked people to dig deep in their pockets for a little more to help these youngsters and another 132 euro was collected. Choir members and audience all agreed that it was one of the best concerts they had been to and look forward to Crescendo and the junior band getting together again.

CRESCENDO’S  NEW YEAR DINNER-DANCE

On Saturday January 31st, members of CRESCENDO INTERNATIONAL CHOIR held their New Year dinner-dance at “Downtown Quesada”. When everyone had enjoyed a beautiful turkey dinner with all the trimmings, chairman Lawrence Gee said what a successful year it had been for the choir. A magnificent total of 8,500 euro had been raised during 2008 for various charities including AECC, Altzheimer’s, APANEE and local music schools. Some of this was from door money, some from bucket collections and the rest from donations. Lawrence then asked for a show of appreciation for the Musical Director Chas Smith who gives his time and energies to the choir free of charge. Chas was then presented with a cheque, money given by all choir members to buy himself a treat as a “thank you” for his hard work.
The choir are now settling into their new rehearsal venue at the “Oasis” bar in
Toretta 3  and are busy practicing for the forthcoming concerts.

CRESCENDO & CANTABILE sing for Paul Cunningham Nurses

On Tues February 24th, Crescendo International Mixed Voice Choir were the guests of Cantabile ladies choir at the Teatro Virgen del Carmen in Torrevieja. The concert was to raise money for the PAUL CUNNINGHAM nurses. Jennifer Cunningham went on stage to explain how the charity began and had been named for her son Paul. Cantabile took the stage first, then came Crescendo wearing their new “uniforms” The ladies now have red sequined jackets worn over black trousers and blouses, the men have black trousers and shirts with a red bow tie. These new outfits have been made possible by a generous donation from MEDSEA properties. Cantabile wore their distinctive turquoise jackets for the first half and their colourful Spanish shawls for their second appearance. Four of the ladies did not have time to catch their breath as they belong to both choirs; these were Phyl, Henny, Maura, and Denise. Phyl was also one of the soloists giving us a lovely version of “We’ll gather lilacs” by Ivor Novello. As Crescendo circled the theatre to sing their “Blessing of Aaron”, four beautiful bouquets were brought on stage. These were presented to Jennifer Cunningham, Jennifer Morton (MD of Cantabile) and the two pianists, Sue Trick and Larissa Yvonne. Not to be left out, Chas Smith was presented with a very mysterious bottle-shaped bag! . Altogether a very glittering evening with a large amount of money being raised for a very worthwhile cause.

CRESCENDO SING WITH AGRUPACIÓN MUSICAL MONTESINOS

The Music School Theatre in Los Montesinos was packed to capacity on Sunday March 8th when Crescendo joined with Agrupación Musical Montesinos for a concert to raise money for the restoration of images (paintings and statues) in the old church of ERMITA la MARQUESA. As people filled the theatre, there was a slide show of the images to be restored giving approximate costs for the work ranging from 200 to 800 euros. The evening started with Crescendo wearing their new very smart, eye-catching uniforms of red sequined jackets over black trousers and blouses for the ladies, and black shirts and trousers with red bow ties for the men . They sang a programme of eight pieces ranging from “Locus Iste” to “In the Mood”. Next the sixty strong band took the stage with the second movement of Shostakovichs’ 10th symphony followed by La Canción del Olvido by J Serrano and finally a selection from West Side Story. After a little reshuffling of the timpani section, Crescendo came onto the back of the stage to join the band for “Sin Ti” by Pepe Guizah then a selection from “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff, with the children’s choir of the music school joining in for “Chramer, gip die varwe mir” There was a standing ovation at the end with both musical directors taking their bows; D.Sixto Manuel Herrero Rodes of the Montesinos band and Chas Smith of Crescendo,and also accompanist Sue Trick of Crescendo. The choir were each given a plaque commemorating 25 years of the band. Money raised by the concert amounted to 905 euro, a good amount to get the restoration started.

CRESCENDO and JUST BRASS together for RAFA “WINGS” appeal

The Teatro Capital in Rojales was the venue for a very colourful concert on Sunday March 22nd, “colourful” in both the musical and visual. Hosts and organizers were JUST BRASS and their guests were CRESCENDO International Choir in a concert for the RAFA “wings” appeal. Just Brass took the stage wearing their burgundy shirts and with brass instruments shining. Led by their musical director; himself, a very talented Tenor horn player who has appeared all over the world including the Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House, the band played a wide variety of music. They moved from the opening RAF march to “Oliver” then blues, Indian summer, then a piece featuring their drummer Lou Schmid followed by a selection of Old Time Music Hall favourites. The choir came on stage next, in their eye-catching new uniforms of red and black led by musical director Chas Smith with Sue Trick at the piano. They sang a selection of pieces ranging from “The Lord’s Prayer” to a boogie setting of “In the mood”. A short interval followed then the choir took the stage again with “Joshua” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and several more numbers. Just Brass came back to play a selection of Broadway hits followed by “All I ask of you” from ‘Phantom’ with solos by Cornet, Ian Gibson and Euphonium, Ian Vine. Highlight of the evening though was former RAF Trombonist Joe Wallace with his own very talented and comic version of “The acrobat” The band finished with Bach’s Toccata then were joined on stage by Crescendo for the final number “Sentimental Journey”, a very fitting finish as many of the pieces brought back memories for members of the audience.

CRESCENDO sing at Santa Maria del Mar, la Zenia

Sunday 26th April, the International Choir Crescendo gave their fourth Spring concert at the church in la Zenia. As usual, the choir was conducted by Chas Smith and accompanied on the keyboard by Sue Trick. The concert started with a new piece in the choir’s repertoire, the ‘Triumphal March’ from Aida. This was followed by ‘Any dream will do’ and ‘Joshua’. The quartet within the choir, “Soave” made up of soprano Aly, contralto Viv, tenor Laurence, and bass Trent, then sang ‘Panis Angelicus’ filling the church with their beautifully balanced voices. The choir took the stage again with ‘Unchained melody’ and ‘Locus Iste’, and next it was the turn of trained contralto Margaret Jennings who left her wheelchair to stand by the alter and sing ‘Tristesse’ in Italian ( better known in English as ‘How deep is the night’) A couple more songs by the choir, then Sue Trick played a piano solo ‘Andalucia’ with her usual flair … suitably wearing a red Spanish shawl embroidered with black to match the new choir uniforms…. followed by the choir singing ‘Let it be’ composed by the Beatles and ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. Soprano Pat Yardley then sang a pretty little Spanish song entitled ‘La cancion del Olvida’. The final section was started with ‘Sentimental Journey’, a favourite with the choir, that had been specially requested by a member of the audience. We finished the concert with ‘What a wonderful world’ and ‘Rhythm of life’. Each item in the programme was introduced by Mary Priddle in English, and Jennifer Morton in Spanish. Parish Priest Don Joaquin Carlos thanked the choir and everyone in the audience. The Evening was closed by Crescendo circling the church to sing their own beautiful version of ‘The Blessing of Aaron’ As always there was a mouth-watering buffet laid on downstairs served by Maggi Bray and her ladies. Don’t miss Crescendo’s next concert in Torrevieja Church with ‘Cantabile’ and ‘Soave’ on Sunday May10th at approx 20.45 after evening mass. This is a free concert they a bucket collection afterwards for the church organ fund. For all info about the choir please visit the web-site www.crescendo-choir.com

CRESCENDO sing for EUROPE DAY at Torrevieja Church

On Sunday May 10th, Crescendo International Choir along with quartet Soave and ladies choir Cantabile, presented a concert to raise money for the church organ fund at the church of the Immaculate Conception in Torrevieja. The concert took place after the evening mass, with most of the congregation staying to listen. The three groups sang a varied programme of music to a very appreciative audience. Crescendo started the concert with a group of songs including a habanera. Next came Soave with “Panis Angelicus” followed by a selection of music from Cantabile conducted by Jennifer Morton. Soave then sang “A nightingale sang in Berkley Square”and Crescendo finished the evening with another selection, as always conducted by their musical director Chas Smith and accompanied on the keyboard by Sue Trick. To finish, all three groups joined together for “The Blessing of Aaron”. At the end of the evening each group was presented with a special plaque commemorating the fact that they had sung for “Europe Day 2009”. There was no charge for the concert but helpers were at the church door with buckets collecting money for the much needed restoration of the church organ. Over €350 was raised

Surprise gift for ALPE

Crescendo International choir have been rehearsing in the back room of Bar Oasis in Torreta 3 for some time. On June 10th it was the 50th birthday of Pete Pring the owner of bar Oasis & he invited all his regulars including the choir, to a free barbeque. Pete has not been charging rent to the choir so they decided that it would be a nice surprise if they gave him a birthday present of 500 euros for his favourite charity ALPE. Pete first heard of ALPE, a school for physically & mentally handicapped children in Torrevieja through a friend who’s daughter was a pupil. The school was founded in 1982 and moved to its present site in 1998. They cater for 75 children aged five to twenty-one and also a number of adults who attend to take part in occupational therapy. The pupils are picked up every day in buses which have been bought from generous sponsorship over the last few years. When Pete and Crescendo chairman Lawrence Gee went to the school to hand over the cheque they were shown around by President Josefa Fructuoso and Director Maria Jose Ortiz. Several groups of adults were busy in the light airy rooms, ready to smile & and wave as the visitors looked in, and there were tables of beautifully made models on display in the corridors. Outside is a well laid out vegetable garden tended by the pupils and a greenhouse with plants on shelves for those in wheelchairs to look after. Lawrence thanked Josefa and Maria Jose for showing him around and said that he hopes the choir can help the school more in the future.

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Last Concert and Meal at End of Season

Crescendo International Choir finished the season as guests of the Torrevieja Barbershop Harmonisers at a concert in Pilar de la Horadada Casa de Cultura. The concert on Friday June 26th was in aid of AECC and the Anglican Church in Campoverde. The choir sang a selection of seven songs, mostly old favourites but with the addition of an arrangement of “I Believe” sung by the men, with the ladies singing the Bach/Gounod “Ave Maria” softly in the background. This number was greeted by a huge round of applause and looks like becoming one of the choir’s favourites. Earlier in the week, the choir met for an end of season lunch at the Quesada Country Club. Rehearsals begin again on Sept 2nd at the Oasis bar in Torretta 3.

CRESCENDO sings for DOLORES CHURCH restoration fund

For three of Crescendo’s members, Dolores is their village; so it was a home from home when the choir sang in the local church of “Nuestra Senora de los Dolores” on Saturday evening after mass. The concert was suggested by Marie Sills a mezzo soprano in the Crescendo choir as it is the church attended every week by her and her husband Steve. The concert on 24th October, 2009, got off to a rousing start with ‘Gloria’ in Latin, followed by several standards like ‘Wonderful World’, and ‘Unchained Melody’. Highlights from the choir were ‘I Believe/Ave Maria’ (The men sing I believe while the ladies sing Ave Maria) and ‘Sin Ti’ (without you) Both of these received standing ovations from the full church. Other pieces sung included ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and ‘Locus Iste’ Favourite with the local people though was Marie Sills’ beautiful singing of ‘Panis Angelicus’. George Bright sang a lovely version of’ ‘O del Mio Amato Ben’ in his rich tenor voice and there were tears on many faces as Sue Trick the choirs’ pianist played Schubert’s Serenade. Last song of the evening was ‘Swinging with the Saints’ which had everyone clapping and joining in. Parish priest Don Augustin Perez Nacher thanked the choir in Spanish and English then choir MD Chas Smith asked everyone there to dig deep into their pockets for the church restoration fund, which they did, raising 230 euros. The choir finished the evening by circling the audience and singing ‘The Blessing of Aaron’. Already people in Dolores are asking when the choir will come again as they so much enjoyed the evening.

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CRESCENDO AND THE HARMONISERS sing for Los Balcones Church

WOW!! And what a feast of music and song it was when Crescendo Choir and the Torrevieja Barbershop Harmonisers joined forces to give a concert at Los Balcones church to raise some money towards new windows.
Crescendo started the evening on Saturday 31st October 2009, with “Gloria” and four other pieces including a new one “Walking Down that Glory Road”. Next came the quartet called “Q4”, all members of the Harmonisers. They had the audience in stitches when three of them appeared in bright yellow oilskins and the fourth wearing flippers, goggles, armbands and rubber ring. They can be serious though, and sang the very poignant “In my Room”. While they rushed off to change into their barbershop uniforms, Sue Trick played two piano solos with her usual expertise. The Harmonisers started off with “Come to the Cabaret”, three other numbers then “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” from The Lion King featuring their counter tenor Ray Prentice. Eve Suffield, a new member of Crescendo sang an aria from “The Marriage of Figaro” in Italian; an outstanding performance from a beautiful voice. Time again for Crescendo with another mix of religious and modern songs. Then, you’ve guessed it, Q4 again, this time in bright coloured T-shirts and baseball caps asking everyone to clap and whistle. Sue Trick played two more pieces and you could hear a pin drop while the music filled the church. The harmonisers finished the evening with a varied mix of songs ending with “Bring Him Home” and “Do You Hear the People Sing” from Les Miserables after which they stayed on stage while Crescendo stood in the aisles to sing the “Blessing of Aaron” together.

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Crescendo sing at San Roque Church Torrevieja

The Beautiful modern church of San Roque was the venue for Crescendo’s concert last week. Although it has not been built long, there are some repairs needed so Crescendo offered to sing at the church to help raise some money. The appreciative audience heard a variety of music including vocal solos by Marie Sills, George Bright, and Pat Yardley. Sue Trick played the lovely “Andalucia” on the keyboard and Chas Smith conducted.

CRESCENDO CHOIR’S CHRISTMAS SING ALONG

It would not be Christmas on the Costa Blanca without Crescendo’s sing along concert!! Last years was such a success that a larger room was needed so the Hotel Cabo Cevera was used. This year, on 2nd December 2009, the audience were asked to join in the Hallelujah Chorus and the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco as well as many favourite songs and carols. There was a huge basket of Christmas goodies for a raffle prize. Val Jones organized this by twisting the arm of every choir member to bring along something ……cake, pudding, biscuits, nuts etc. Audience and choir all enjoyed themselves thoroughly, getting together in the interval for a chat and a coffee. The evening ended with Crescendo’s usual Blessing of Aaron as they stood all around the sides of the room, a lovely ending to a fun evening. Chas Smith, Sue Trick and all members of CRESCENDO CHOIR wish you all A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

CRESCENDO CHRISTMAS at La ZENIA CHURCH

Crescendo International Choir gave their annual Christmas concert at the church of Santa Maria del Mar in La Zenia on Sunday evening, Dec 13th 2009. Musical Director Chas Smith started the evening by asking everyone to shake hands with their neighbour and wish them “Happy Christmas” which broke the ice and made everyone smile. Traditional carols were alternated with pieces by the choir and Bible readings, both audience and choir lifting their voices to fill the church. Sue Trick, the choir’s accompanist, teaches music at a local school and recently brought along three of her “A” level students to practice with the choir. Two of them came along to join in on Sunday and were introduced to the audience who gave them a warm reception. A new piece for the choir was “Name that tune” a medley of well known classical snippets sung in the manner of the “Swingle Singers” (Do you remember them?), with the audience asked to count how many they could recognize…current amount stands at 19. The concert as always finished with the choir circling the church to sing “The Blessing of Aaron” then audience and choir went downstairs to sample the lovely buffet prepared by Maggi Bray and her ladies. There was a raffle with many super prizes which raised more than 200 euros. This, with the ticket money from the concert will go towards the new multi-denominational church being built.

CRESCENDO and JUST BRASS at TCF

Crescendo International Choir joined Just Brass for the first carol concert at the new Torrevieja Christian Fellowship building at 68. Avenida de Las Cortes Valencianas on Dec 16th 2009. The huge building was almost bursting at the seams as congregation, choir, and band joined in all the old familiar carols. Choir and band each performed on their own, giving everyone else time to catch their breath. Part way through the service there was a Christmas film show with a difference, projected onto the wall behind the band. A collection was taken for the chosen charities - Alzheimer’s Ass. and Contra Cancer.