Danny Howell wrote the following review of the Kentwood Choir’s recital at Warminster in July 2004:
An audience of over one hundred people enjoyed Songs From The Shows, a recital by the Kentwood Choir from Swindon, at Kingdown Community School last Friday evening.
Organised by Warminster Rotary Club and compered by Edward Barrett, it was a fundraiser for the Lakeside Centre, and the choir sang over a dozen pieces, under the leadership of their Musical Director Sheila Harrod BEM.
Sheila was very bubbly and imparted much information about the Choir and the songs. Her personality added a great deal to the evening, especially when she took time out to talk to individuals in the audience. When she discovered Bill Gowen was celebrating his 87th birthday, she asked the Choir to sing Happy Birthday to him in his chosen style of music – rock and roll!
Another cause for celebration was the Golden Wedding Anniversary the next day of Michael and Janet Swann from Sutton Veny. Sheila invited them “to have a twirl,” and they duly obliged by dancing in front of the stage while the Anniversary Waltz was played.
Dressed all in blue for the first part of the show, the Choir was made up of 21 ladies and 4 men (a quarter of the full choir), and the musical accompaniment was provided by Geoff Walters (piano), Steve Wiltshire (bass), and Paul Ashman (drums).
There were two solo pieces during the opening set. Graham Davison-Smith sang, with great feeling, If I Can’t Love Her, from Beauty And The Beast, while Clarry Bean gave his interpretation of Elton John’s Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.
Unfortunately, not all of Clarry’s vocal was audible, thanks to a piano (not the pianist) being rather over-powering and temperamental. Even Sheila Harrod had to admit that “the piano needs a hospital,” and the situation was rectified during the interval when the piano was turned around, to face away from the audience, and was softened by having a blanket draped over it.
For the second part of the show, the choir dressed in black and white, and there were two more solo pieces. Karin Balfe sang Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, which was very well received, and Kathy Hobson kept the audience spellbound with Amazing Grace. All the solo pieces were projected without the use of a microphone.
Other highlights of the evening included a hymn by John Rutter, and a song written by Bob Chilcott, the former King Singers’ tenor. Bob’s composition Can You Hear Me had been written to include sign language for the hard of hearing. The Choir had all been taught sign language and it was a joy to watch them “singing the words with their hands.”
For a finale the Choir chose Alexander’s Ragtime Band, a guaranteed show-stopper, and the audience showed their appreciation with long and loud applause.
Giovanni Brandini, the President of Warminster Rotary Club, gave a vote of thanks, remarking that the Choir had left him speechless but he went on to say that the Choir had indeed been truly marvellous.”