LITTLE did I know that when I entitled our recent Crediton Parish Church Music Endowment Fund concert “Expect the Unexpected”, I was putting our fate in the hands of jeopardy!  Recently, I had seen my old friend, Anne Wilkins on the Michael McIntyre “Big Show” as his “Unexpected Star of the Show” singing alongside Bryn Terfel, so I invited her to sing at Holy Cross in September.

That evening our Baritone, John Liddington had to leave in the interval to catch his last train back to Cardiff to be able to sing at Llandaff Cathedral the next morning.

Great Western Railway, in its wisdom, had cancelled the later train so we had to think on our feet and rearrange the concert at the last minute!  

John sang a few extra pieces in the first half and I had the idea to do a Q and A section with Anne Wilkins, who is a blind soprano from Wales.

This made for an interesting, relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Not only did she sing beautifully, but she also treated us to 20 minutes of piano music by Brahms and Beethoven in the second half and I surprised everyone, and myself, by coming out of retirement to sing a Fauré song and the Rossini Cat Duet with Anne to finish off the programme.

It was lovely to sing with my old coach Jeanette Massocchi as my accompanist again after so many years.

The concert was appreciated by a small, but select audience who supported us to the tune of £300.

All the artists generously gave their services and this money will go towards the Crediton Church Endowment Fund which supports our choristers and organ scholars with music lessons.  

Our next concert is tomorrow, Saturday, November 18 at 3pm with Nigel and Tina Guthrie and Peter Gilks playing for a teatime concert “Music for an Autumn Afternoon”.

Tickets on the door, cash or card £8 adults (free for under 16 year-olds), includes refreshments in the Boniface Centre afterwards.  Do come and support us. 

Penny Pearkes

Hon Secretary

Crediton Parish Church Music Endowment Fund