CREDITON Church Music Endowment Fund will present “Go, Goliath!” at Crediton Parish Church from 4.30pm on Saturday, October 15.

Nicholas Brown, Composer of “Go, Goliath!” explained: “There is no lack of musical works telling stories from the Bible, from very early times to the present day.

“But where is the story of David and Goliath?

“Surely if there ever was a story made for some kind of musical/dramatic treatment then this is it (although I suppose Goliath may feel he doesn’t come out of it too well), so I suggested the theme to Simon Ford and he came up with a text based on the Bible story –treated with a good deal of license, it must be said.

“A commission came from St Michael’s, Lyme Regis, to produce a musical work which would involve children, the church choir, Lyme Bay Chorale and the extra singers normally brought in for Evensongs etc. I thought this was an excellent opportunity to use the Goliath text, so the music was sketched out while on holiday in Ireland in June 2018.”
Penny Pearkes, from the Music Endowment Fund, explained that the music for the Crediton performance is set for three principal soloists: David and Goliath, of course, and a Narrator. 

It will be sung by Alex McNeice, Paul Evans and Daniel Rudge with Jonathan Rawles on Organ and Andrew Millington on Piano.
There are three other soloists: Jesse (David’s father), a Passer-By, and King Saul.

For the chorus, there is the “Unison Chorus” throughout, aimed at children and those who don’t want to sing in four parts, and there is a four-part chorus (who can also double on the unison chorus).

The music runs without a break, but instrumental sections separate the “scenes”.

She explained that the first half of the concert will include a variety of music sung by the Crediton Parish Church Choir and the visiting Devon County Junior Choir under Andrew Downton.  

Local personality Paul Evans will be singing the role of Goliath.

Paul Evans studied singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, also at the Else Meyer-Lissmann Opera Centre, in London.

On his return to the Westcountry he joined the Choir of Exeter Cathedral and performed many roles for Crediton Operatic Society.

He was later to study with Otakar Kraus, former Principal Baritone at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Over the years, Paul has performed in Oratorios and concerts throughout England, Scotland and Wales, and as Guest Soloist for Male Voice Choirs. He has also enjoyed the acting side of music, playing many principal roles including: Sarastro - The Magic Flute; Mr Lockit -The Beggars Opera;  Ramphis - Aida.
He now enjoys singing with his many friends in the Crediton Church Choir.

Paul is also well-known in the town for having run Evans Travel and Evans Newsagents.

Admission to the musical performance is by programme on the door, or contact Penny Pearkes on telephone 07850 441920.

The cost is £8 for adults, free for Under 12s. Interval drinks will be on sale.