Every November the Fish Hoek Ladies Choir presents a concert, which is the culmination of their year’s work.
Held at the Fish Hoek Methodist Church, the afternoon of song is a highlight on the calendar for many.
On Sunday November 25, the choir was in top form, and for just over an hour, it performed a variety of numbers, from Lena Zavaroni’s Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me and A Chorus Line -One to John Lennon’s Imagine and a rendition of Celine Dion’s The Prayer.
There was an arrangement of The Lord is My Shepherd and two interludes where choir conductor Dr Beryl Ensor-Smith and Michael Greenwood played cello and piano pieces.
The choir was formed in 1982 by Ethyne Seftel, an opera singer whose chest problems cut short her operatic career.
Ms Seftel used her talent to launch and guide a women’s choir. Today, although the name remains unchanged, it now has members from further afield and one choir member, Dez Elliott, travels from Plumstead to rehearse and take part.
Dr Beryl Ensor-Smith is the conductor, the choir co-ordinator is Roz Radford, and the concert arranger is Annette Cleworth. Michael Greenwood and Shirley Weir Smith stand in for Dr Ensor-Smith if ever she is away.
Dr Ensor-Smith praised her choir members’ dedication and enthusiasm and said they worked hard to ensure their performances were of a high standard.
The choir repertoire ranges from modern to classical and includes “golden oldies” and select songs from popular musicals.
This year the church was almost full with an appreciative audience.
“The choir sings for the sheer joy of it,” Dr Ensor-Smith said, and they share this joy at no fewer than eight year-end concerts, ending off at the Fish Hoek Methodist Church.
For information about the choir and how to join, call Roz Radford at 021 7888881, 071 944 7161 or email her at rozradford2@gmail.com
