The Regency Singers gave a Spring Concert at St Luke’s Church last Saturday. In many ways this was a sad occasion for it was to be the last time Stephen Page acted as Musical Director and Conductor for the group, but there was no sense of depression in the air for an eclectic range of song and instrumental music.

They opened with Bridge Over Troubled Water, followed by Moon River and Take the A train – all geared to helping us relax, sit back and enjoy. Two items from Les Miserables followed, with the men obviously in their element with Do you hear the people sing. 

Elgar’s As torrents in summer made a refreshing interlude and led gently in The gypsy rover.  Pianist Andrew Daniels, who accompanied throughout, vamped his way delightfully through The Sunny side of the Street before the meater offering of a selection from Evita. 

Fine renditions of You Raise Me Up and All Things Bright and Beautiful in the John Rutter setting, brought us to a more serious point in the afternoon and this slipped into a three minute overview of the whole of western music.

With the Samuel F Dallady organ now fully restored and in superb condition it was good to hear Stephen Page play a Bach Arioso. The tremulant is now back to its original condition and its soft, almost hesitant, impact is superb.

A medley from Joseph and Rutter’s Blessing brought the afternoon to a close, just in time for tea and cake.

Those wishing to hear the Dalladay organ in full flow will be welcome at St Luke’s for a concert on Saturday 26 April, which will also include the book-launch of Organs of 1066 Country which includes a biography of the organ-builder.