The ancient setting of All Saints Parish Church in Northallerton echoed recently to the sound of sublime choral music. An evening performance by the King’s Men of King’s College Cambridge featured a variety of pieces sung a capella – voices in close harmony without accompaniment.
The King’s Men form part of the King’s College Choir best known for the carol service broadcast on Christmas Eve. This was the fifth concert given by them in Northallerton, organised by the Rotary Club of Northallerton. These concerts (held every two years) were the brainchild of Tom Banfield, a member of Northallerton Rotary Club for many years and himself a proud graduate of King’s College. The concert honoured the memory of Tom, who died earlier this year.
Over 200 guests enjoyed this special event, and more than £1800 was raised for Chopsticks, a local charity providing opportunities for people with learning difficulties. This year’s Rotary President, John Prest, has chosen Chopsticks as his charity for his year of office. He said “This was a wonderful concert by a highly talented group of choral singers who have become firm friends with Northallerton Rotary Club over the years. They even travelled here of their own accord to sing a tribute at Tom Banfield’s memorial service, a generous salute to a former King’s College colleague.”
Photo: President John Prest (third from left) with the seven King’s Men singers.