St Matthew’s, Gillingham, 29th March 2008

A capacity audience, a welcoming venue, the baton of one of world's leading saxophonists and a prompt invitation to return – St Matthew's Gillingham was most definitely a feel-good gig.

A hint of John Harle's signature cigar smoke on the breeze in St Matthew's car park augured well for a focussed but stress-free afternoon rehearsal. Decisive direction from John and physical comfort for players (refreshments and warmth – a far cry from the traditionally inhospitable church venue) had a lot to do with delivering the goods musically.

The programme was one that the Choir enjoyed too, with its mixture of well-aired NSC favourites (Mrs Malcolm, Carnival, Bolero, Shetland) with newer items of repertoire (Uli Schultheiss' Metropolitains and Roger May's Simon's Mangrove Groove). There were some startling juxtapositions (the camp drama of Bohemian Rhapsody followed by Nimrod's quiet dignity), not unusual at Choir concerts, plus a well-balanced selection of solo items:

Local hero Kent-based Sarah Field was soprano soloist in Under the Veil, offering a robust and gutsy interpretation of this contemporary sax classic – not much option against the might of the Choir in a resonant acoustic. (It's a pity there's not a sound archive of the many and varied 'Veil' soloists; it would be a fascinating reflection of style, musical personality and the circumstances of performance). Sarah was joined by the NSC's principal Cat Evison alto for an eloquent reading of "Erbarme dich" (Aria) and Nigel Wood delivered his usual high wire exhibition of soprillo virtuosity in Waltzing Soprillda.

Soloing doesn't stop with the stars whose biographies appear in the programme. Julia Cadman (tubax), Dominic Lawson (bass), Jen Ashley and Michael Brogan (bari), Jennifer Palfreyman and Matt London (tenor), Sally McTaggart (soprano) and Frasier Patterson (sopranino) all shone for their moments of glory in the 'Round Robins' that introduce the members of the sax family to the audience, or in their solo spots in Rumanian Dances, Carnival and Bolero – plus Alex Holmes, usually alto 3 but leading the way in Veil with finger cymbals, NSC percussionist Trevor Bartlett on guiro at her heels.

The Choir's usual staging routines were slightly constrained by the venue (although there seemed to be no inhibitions about using the pulpit as a solo spot), and the tightly packed audience. It was a small price to pay for such a warm reception and listeners who seemed to appreciate the full range of the programme, not just the lighter moments. Composer Roger May was present and the enthusiasm for the first performance by the Choir of Simon's Mangrove Grooves, must have been heartening.

Thanks to Gareth Layzell for the excellent (and revealing) photos.

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