Christmas concert, St. Thomas' church, Milnthorpe: December 2025
Review of MESSIAH: CAPERNWRAY HALL 28th Feb 2026
Soprano. Eleanor McIntosh.
Alto. Louise Wood.
Tenor. Nicholas Hurndell Smith.
Bass. Terence Ayebare.
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If the audience thought that this performance of Handel’s Messiah performed by Eversley Choir was “just another”, they were mistaken! From the first note of the Overture we were left in no doubt that this was going to be something very special. Capernwray’s wonderful, modern hall was packed and there was a bonus for 10 of their students added their voices to the Chorus
Ian Jones was the Conductor who, together with the Orchestra led by Pam Redman and 4 exceptional soloists, inspired this outstanding performance.
The bass aria “Why do the nations so furiously rage together? ” took on a poignant significance as war in the Middle East had erupted that very morning.
This contrasted beautifully with the opening tenor aria “ Comfort ye my people”- full of anguish & promise. Both Mezzo and Soprano came into their own in the shared aria “ He shall feed His flock” and “Come unto Him”. The soloists’ commitment & passion throughout was outstanding.
The many familiar choruses sung by the choir were without exception enthusiastic, sensitive and always clear. Eversley are to be complimented on their diction. We could hear every word! There was a wonderful moment in the Hallelujah Chorus, when everyone in the hall , standing as is traditional, spontaneously applauded at the end.
After almost two and a half hours the “Amen Chorus” was the climax and all four soloists joined the choir members, concluding a truly memorable performance of this timeless masterpiece.Speaking to a member of the audience as we left the Hall, I discovered that it was the very first time she had ever heard ‘Messiah’, but, she promised, “it will not be the last”.
David A. Smethurst.
New Term
Rehearsals have already started for our concert in May following the spectacularly successful 'Messiah' last month at Capernwray Hall (see the review above). This term's programme could hardly be more different including, as it does, modern works by Cecilia McDowall and a Requiem by Oliver Linton - one of the members of the choir. For more details see the Concerts page.
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Tickets for the concert on May 10th
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Tickets will soon be available for our Concert in Silverdale church on the 10th May.​​​​
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New Singers
We are always looking for new singers so if you are new to the area or want to know if you can sing, (actually, everyone can sing!) it is never too late to make yourself known to the membership secratary. Alyson Holden tel: 07745423204 email: j53holden@gmail.com.
We rehearse in the Borwick and Priest Hutton Memorial Hall at 7:00 on Monday evenings.
Singing Bach's 'St. John Passion' at Capernwray next year
As in past years we shall be inviting experienced singers to join us in singing Bach's Passion of St. John next February. at Capernwray. Rehearsals will begin in September until half term. Watch this space for further details and an applicatiuon form.
Some facts about Eversley Choir
We are a non-auditioned mied voice choir which aims to perform three concerts each year in the South Lakes district between Kendal, Arnside and Lancaster. We have a long standing tradition of putting on a Christmas concert in St. Thomas' church. in Milnthorpe and in recent years we have performed several major works with full orchestra in Capernwray Hall which is not far from Carnforth. We have also sung in many parish curches in the locality ioncluding Warton, Silverdale and Yealand.