An Annual Concert

From the Newspaper Reading Mercury, Sat Jan 31st 1880

 

Shrivenham – Annual Concert.

 

The members of the Shrivenham Church Choir gave their annual Concert on Tuesday the 27th inst.; and met with the success which invariably attends these popular musical entertainments. The announcement that Viscountess Folkstone and Mr C.E. McCheane, had promised their valuable assistance, immediately brought numerous applications for seats, and more than 120 tickets were secured a week before the date of the concert. The schoolroom was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and at the opening of the concert nearly every available space was occupied. The instrumental portions of the programme were admirably carried out by Viscountess Folkstone and Miss Scott at the piano, and the Rev A. Fowler on the flute, while the whole of the accompaniments were skilfully played by Miss Scott, who also brilliantly executed an impromptu of Chopin on the piano. It is very rarely the good fortune of a village choir to present such a treat to their audiences as was afforded on this occasion by the vocal performers, of whom Viscountess Folkstone and Mr McCheane have attained the highest rank among English amateurs. Mr George Habgood, who has distinguished himself as a tenor singer among London artists, most kindly took the place of an absent member of the quartet party, and also delighted the audience with a charming English balled. The men and boys of the choir acquitted themselves with infinite credit, and entered heartily into the spirit of the glees, which were effectively rendered. Among those present were Viscount and Viscountess Barrington, Viscount and Viscountess Folkstone, The Hon. Wilma Bouverie and the Hon. Mrs Agar; Mr and Mrs Hussey Freke, Mr Edgar Hanbury and family; Rev. E. Banks and family; Rev. J. and Mrs Smeaton, Rev A. and Mrs Fowler, Mr Geo Atkins, Mr Rawlinson, and many other residents in the neighbourhood.