Julie Ann Carr & Singers at Christ Church

A very special performance took place today at Christ Church, to the delight of a crowd of nearly 150 eager listeners. Ms Carr brought with her five of her students, and they themselves brought a variety of diverse styles.

Ms Emilie Alty shone with a commanding jazzy performance of ‘I hate men’ from «Kiss me, Kate». Mr Andrew Dunnet-Edge definitely has what in Spanish we call «salero», and I think is sometimes translated as «it». Whatever it is, he’s got it, and I wouldn't be surprised if the next I see him is on the boards of West End after his performance of ‘Flash, Bang, Wallop’.

I was transported by Ms Laura Bevan's Bond Medley, particularly the first part, Shirley Bassey's ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’. This piece also showcased Ms Carr's arrangement prowess, for her piano seamlessly went through the aforementioned ‘Spy’ to ‘Diamonds are Forever’ and ‘Skyfall’, and all the while you wouldn't miss an instrument, as the piano mimicked all of them seamlessly.

Ms Rachel Tammadge presented ‘Defying Gravity’ from «Wicked», and ‘On My Own’ from «Les Miserables». Her voice is reminiscent of those you'd find in a Disney's heroine: full, rich, and doted with an immense range.

The last pieces were by Ms Janette Monroe. I found her ‘Nessum Dorma’ very touching; while this is an immensely difficult aria from Pucini's «Turandot», Ms Monroe made this one her own with effortless grace and passion.