Choral glamour, Marlborough style

Marlborough is a quaint market town in rural Wiltshire. So it is not usually the place to be for those of us who aspire, or are addicted, to forward living.

However, last night I was proud to be one of the 200 or so souls who have, since early January, been preparing for a spectacular and - it has to be said - glamorous concert in Marlborough College Chapel.

We were the Chorus (backing singers) for a performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs, and Johannes Brahms' Requiem. Classical music buffs rave about the music of these two geniuses, and even ordinary mortals who stop to listen for a while have to admit that these chaps must have been the pop stars of their day.

However, the glamour of this event was not generated simply by the wonderful music and the soaring, splendid and colourful interior of the chapel building. No, what really made this the hottest ticket in White Horse territory was the fact that everyone dressed up.

The baritone and soprano soloists set the tone. Both were immaculate, and her little black velvet dress was perfect - formal but chic.

We choral ladies, meanwhile, had done everything we could to glam up within the limits of the 'white top, black skirt' rule that is de rigueur when appearing in secondary musical roles. I am glad to report that the occasion prompted another welcome outing for my funky long leather skirt.

The Tenor and Bass sections had scrubbed up well and were smartly turned out in DJs. This year, on the instructions of our new, young conductor, all of the men wore black bow ties. This en masse 'look' worked well - far better than the motley collection of multi-coloured efforts they would otherwise have worn in a bid to suggest rakish individuality and flamboyance.

Our conductor, being in a leading role, was entitled to stand out from the crowd. He cleverly teamed his magnificent black tailcoat with a crisp white bow tie.   

The members of the orchestra had also transformed themselves since their laid-back appearance at the afternoon rehearsal. They looked as polished as the violins, harp, piccolo and the extraordinary contra bassoon (perhaps the first ever seen in Marlborough).

The audience, of course, wore whatever they liked. But one sensed that everyone had made an effort.

Even Master J wore his most respectable pair of jeans.

And Mr J left his jumper at home and looked somewhat dishy in a jacket that rather suits him, I think, because it matches his blue-green eyes. (Cheers Mrs. J - if eye colour's your thing… - Ed.)