MEMBERS of a Helensburgh choir who performed on stage at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York have spoken to the Advertiser about their unforgettable experience.

Nine members of the Helensburgh Oratorio Choir were among around 270 singers, from choirs across the UK and USA, who performed the requiem Eternal Light at the 2800-capacity Isaac Stern Auditorium on November 20.

The Helensburgh Oratorio contingent, some accompanied by husbands, were Mary Sweetland, Margaret Hastings, Irene Wotherspoon, Kathryn Clark, Anne Mitchell, Hilde Bryan, Penny Johnston, Vivienne Murray and Barbara Chisholm.

Among those in the audience was the work’s composer, Howard Goodall, also well known for his TV and radio presenting work and for composing the themes to comedy series such as Red Dwarf and the Vicar of Dibley, who took time to speak to all the singers after the first New York performance of the piece – and was full of praise for their efforts.

Choir member Margaret Hastings said: “It was a fantastic experience. It was busy, it was hard work, and there was lots of concentration required, but to be part of a choir like that was something not many people get a chance to experience.

“We had four hours of rehearsals on the Friday afternoon, and four on the Saturday morning, then an hour and a half on the Sunday evening before the performance.

The Oratorio Choir had previously performed Eternal Light at one of its concerts in Helensburgh Parish Church, under the baton of its former musical director, Martin Spellar, who set the wheels in motion for the choir members’ New York trip when he contacted the composer to find out more about the work.

“Howard Goodall was really nice,” said Margaret. “At the reception afterwards, when we were handing out freebies promoting the Helensburgh and Loch Lomond area, he told us he’d once been a member of a band called ‘Ben Lomond and The Trossachs’!

“The requiem incorporates extracts from In Flanders Fields, the very powerful poem written at the Battle of the Somme, and he explained why he had chosen to make that poem part of the work.

“All the choirs involved had performed Eternal Light before – it was so well received when we sang it in Helensburgh, and lots of members of our choir had thoroughly enjoyed doing it.

Another member of the Helensburgh contingent, Anne Mitchell, said: “It was quite an honour to be part of such a special occasion. The whole experience is something none of us will ever forget, and it was wonderful to meet the man who wrote the work.

“It’s a very moving work, and we all found singing it to be a very moving experience.

“We really must express our thanks to Martin Spellar. Had it not been for the fact that he introduced us to the work and gave us the chance to sing it, none of us would have had the privilege of going to New York and singing at such a world-famous venue.

The full Oratorio Choir’s next concert takes place this Sunday, December 4, at 7.30pm in Helensburgh Parish Church.

Under new Conductor Jonathon Swinard, the choir offers a concert of festive choral music entitled Peace on Earth, featuring music by Saint-Saens and Vaughan Williams.

Tickets £12 (£6 students/children), available from the Scandinavian Shop, Helensburgh Parish Church office and at the door.