Our AGM took place yesterday (13th July), with end of year reports and elections of new committee members. We said a special ‘thank you’ to Tim, who has been such a hard working Chair for the last 5 years, and Marianne, who has retired as membership secretary after many years on the committee. Both have played a very important role in the life of the choir.

There was then some excitement as we prepared to present our gifts to our departing Music Director, Patrick Larley! Patrick has been with us for 11 years, and he and several singers referred to highlights of that period: the Elijah concert in the newly refurbished Town Hall, Bach’s B minor Mass, Fanshaw’s Pacific Song, (complete with garlands and actions) The Creation at the International Haydn Festival in Bridgnorth and, of course, the world premiere of ‘The Birmingham Spirituals’, commissioned from Patrick by BFCS.

We sang him our new version of Maxwell Davies’ ‘Lullaby for Lucy’, with Ali Bann’s new words ‘Lullaby for Larley’! A framed version of the song was presented to him by Ali afterwards. Patrick was also presented with a Photobook of memories, a symbolic tree with messages written by individual singers, and a token, with the suggestion of purchasing a real plum tree. Margund presented some framed pictures she had sketched, and finally Patrick’s supportive wife, Gill was presented with a bouquet.

We’re pleased that this wasn’t quite the final farewell for many of us, as Patrick and Gill are coming on our choir tour to Burgundy at the end of July- just one week from now!