A magical evening of choral cinema classics with a sprinkling of Hollywood stardust.

Everyone loves a great blockbusting film, and particularly the much-loved MGM musicals of the past. The Basingstoke Choral Society has great pleasure in presenting Songs of the Silver Screen, based on films of the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, and later. The difference between many such concerts and this performance is that much of the music originates from classical compositions, which have now become an integral part of the movie, and are instantly recognisable.

They are delighted to be performing with a wonderful new talent in Sam Jewison, who will be the vocalist, pianist, and compère. He is recognised for his vocal prowess and pianistic virtuosity, which have seen him tour worldwide.

Among the works they will be performing are Barber‘s Agnus Dei, more familiar from his original version, his Adagio for Strings, Puccini‘s Humming Chorus, a selection from Bernstein‘s West Side Story, Lerner and Loewe‘s My Fair Lady, and Williams‘ well-loved piece, Hymn to the Fallen (from Saving Private Ryan), as well as several other familiar works. The evening will conclude with the choir singing an accompaniment to Sam’s performance of George Gershwin‘s popular Rhapsody in Blue.