Saturday, June 25th 2022 – and the first Dorian summer concert for three years. The last one, at Kirton Church Hall in 2019, had been a semi-staged “Trial by Jury” on a breathlessly hot evening, as the Dorian Singers looked forward to commencing a splendid 40th anniversary year in 2020 …

Let’s not go there …

The first full summer concert, not given in scaled-down, Covid-safe conditions, but in the “old-fashioned”, pre-Covid way, was anticipated eagerly, but also nervously. Would anybody come? Could the traditional strawberries and wine be served? Were people still too nervous to come out?

So it was wonderful, on the evening, to see Kirton Church Hall filling up, bit by bit, almost to capacity. The weather, which had not promised much, proved pleasant after all. And the programme commenced.

“Curtain Up!” was a programme of selections some some of the most beloved musicals, ranging from “West Side Story” to “Cats”. The Dorians were directed by Alan Loader, who also did soloist duties in Billy Bigelow’s Soliliquy from “Carousel”. Julie Roberts’ soaring soprano in You’ll Never Walk Alone, accompanied sensitively by Marina Korneva, moved and thrilled. When the Children are Asleep, again sung by Julie, was, simply, delightful.

The climax of the evening was the finale section of “Les Miserables”, with Julie leading a stunning performance in which she was joined by soloists from the choir, most notably David Tonge, dignified as the dying Jean Valjean. And ending, of course, in a passionate prayer for the future “when tomorrow comes”.

Which was very apt. For this joyous occasion, a real treat for performers and audience alike, was also bittersweet; for the choir, it was the last concert to be given under the direction of Alan Loader, whose inspired leadership over the last eight years will be, in every sense, a very hard act to follow.

But follow we must, and after a well-earned summer break, the Dorians will re-commence rehearsals in September. “Do you hear the people sing?” – Watch this space!