Sept 1978 - Aug 1979
Concerts organised by the Singers Other Concert & Performances

Concert at Stretton Hall (for the St Michael's Church (Penkridge) Restoration Fund) (Sunday 8th October 1978)

Concert at St John's Church Hall, Wolverhampton (9th November 1978)

Concert at St Alban's Church, Wednesfield (19th November 1978)

"Carols And Brass At Christmas" - The Brewood Singers with the Wolverhampton Brass Band (20th December 1978 at St Mary & St Chad's Parish Church, Brewood)

Concert at the Memorial Hall Coven (for the Coven W.I. Dinner) (10th April 1979)

Concert at Bishop's Wood Village Hall (Friday 20th April 1979)

Summer Show "Under Paris Skies" (Friday 15th & Saturday 16th June 1979 at the Jubilee Hall, Brewood

Wedding: The Brewood Singers sing at the Wedding of David Brookes and Carol Southall. (11th August 1979, 3.15 pm at St Thomas's Parish Church, Wednesfield)
This was certainly a year to remember.....
The Christmas Concert in Brewood Church was a classic. After having carefully prepared our pieces and rehearsed the combined carols with the Brass Band, we were basically ready for the performance. The weak bit was going to be our 'Christmas Selection', and I did give the instruction 'Whatever happens keep going!' After the first joint carol with the audience, we performed our opening group of carols, the Brass Band performed their opening selection and it was our turn again. "Down by the Riverside" and "The Lord's my Shepherd" didn't go too badly, from what I remember - it was now time for the "Christmas Selection". With fingers crossed we began. The first page was fairly secure and we were just approaching the difficult bit when we experienced divine intervention. Not only did the lights go out in church - so did the lights in the village and all other electrical appliances - including the organ! Now in complete darkness and as things gradually ground to a halt, the only thing I remembered was a lone voice from the alto section reminding me and the rest of the singers that "he said, 'Whatever happens keep going' "!! From then onwards I edited the rest of the programme as we went along. The vicar found as many candles as he could. We lit them and the singers stood next to each music stand belonging to the brass band and we offered as much light as we could. As we had no means of accompaniment we only sang our unaccompanied items. It was sometime later, when the concert had finished, that the electric came back on. It was an interesting (and quite a stressful) evening, but I think we quite enjoyed it. Next year we called our Christmas Concert, "Christmas By Candlelight" - a title which reared its head many times over the following years.
I wonder whether anyone remembers the concert at Stretton Hall where some of the Singers stood partly on the staircase to perform. The only thing I remember about the concert at St John's was that my old English teacher from school was in the audience.
The summer show was titled "Under Paris Skies". Most of the music had a French connection, or at least was in keeping with the romantic city of Paris. We sang music from Can-Can, Gigi, and from the Merry Widow, as well as having a visit from Inspector Clouseau and the Pink Panther. We were kept in order by the two 'Bold Gendarmes', and most of us remember the rather energetic performance of the Can-Can by three ladies from the Singers. It was so energetic, I believe they are still getting their breath back 21 years later!!
Both Carol and I were glad that the Singers were able to perform at our wedding in August, despite it being in the middle of the holiday season. Our accompanist, Pat Corfield, played the organ and conducted the singers on this occasion.
Updated April 2000
The Brewood Singers
A mixed choral group (SATB) who perform concerts and sing 'classic pops', traditional, stage, film, some religious and Christmas music etc.
Musical Director: David S Brookes
Rehearsal Accompanist: Nick Wiley