The singers of Croydon Male Voice Choir, performing in the choir’s 50th anniversary year, received an exciting endorsement when they staged one of their regular “Beer ‘n Ditties” sessions at a Crystal Palace pub on Friday.
Human rights campaigner: Dr Zahra Mohammadi is a new fan of the Croydon choir
At the sessions, the choir sings a selection from their concert repertoire, ranging from showbiz and opera tunes to hymns and anthems. These impromptu performances are staged at a range of pubs in and near Croydon, and are usually greeted with much enthusiasm from the drinkers.
On Friday, at the Westow House in Upper Norwood, a young woman in a white headscarf came to sit with the choir as it took a break.
She asked the choir if it would resume singing and it responded with two pieces: the Bob Dylan number Make You Feel My Love, followed by Robbie Williams’ Angels. The woman listened attentively and applauded enthusiastically. The Croydon Male Voice Choir appeared to have won over a new fan.
In fact, the session proved to be one of the choir’s most successful Beer ‘n Ditties, with more than 20 choir members taking part. Among others who joined in was an Elvis impersonator, who sang along with Can’t Help Falling In Love, and a soloist from Surrey Opera who joined in Anthem.
The choir was also rewarded with a free round of drinks presented by the pub management, thus consolidating the Westow House as one of the choir’s favourite venues.
With a number of Crystal Palace fans among its singers, the choir completed the evening with an exuberant rendition of Glad All Over, with most of the pub audience joining in.
It was the following morning that the choir learned more about the woman in the headscarf.
An email from a friend who had been with her the previous evening informed them she was Dr Zahra Mohammadi, a prominent campaigner for women’s rights in Afghanistan.
In February 2022, Dr Mohammadi was arrested and tortured by the Taliban before seeking exile in Europe, where she campaigns for women’s rights to be restored in Afghanistan.
On tour: the Croydon Male Voice Choir is going on a 50th anniversary tour before performing two special concerts in Croydon
Dr Mohammadi is a central character in the documentary Bread and Roses, made by Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence and Nobel Prize-winner Malala Yousafzia, who was herself a victim of a Taliban shooting. The film is available on Apple TV.
“It was so lovely to hear the singing,” Dr Mohammadi’s friend told the choir. “The two song selections were perfect.”
The choir is celebrating its 50th anniversary by going on tour next week in South Wales, regarded as the fount of men’s choir singing.
On June 7, the Croydon Male Voice Choir is singing in a joint concert with the Croydon Philharmonic Choir at Croydon Minister. Each choir will sing two sets of its own songs before combining to sing two joint numbers in a thrilling finale.
And on July 12, CMVC is staging its 50th anniversary concert at St Mildred’s Church in Addiscombe, when it is hoped many of its past music directors will be present.
Tickets for both concerts will be on sale at the door.
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