Broadway Comes to Ely: Ely Choral Society and Youth Choir Delight Packed Audience at St Mary’s Church
It was no wonder St Mary’s Church was packed on Saturday evening as Ely Choral Society and Ely Youth Choir performed their much-anticipated concert Broadway Comes to Ely.
Led by Musical Director Andrew Parnell, the evening was a joyful celebration of iconic songs from musical theatre, beautifully delivered by both choirs and a selection of talented soloists. Accompanists Jeremy Lloyd, Paul Stephenson, and Andrew Parnell himself brought the music to life with energy and elegance.
The programme opened with well-loved numbers from Carousel, including You’ll Never Walk Alone, If I Loved You, June Is Bustin’ Out All Over, A Real Nice Clambake and Blow High, Blow Low. With moving performances and clear diction, these opening songs set the tone for a heartfelt evening.
A touching rendition of Someone to Watch Over Me from Oh Kay followed, stirring the audience with its simplicity and emotion.
The Ely Youth Choir, accompanied by Paul Stephenson, charmed the crowd with lively pieces from Matilda the Musical, Oliver, and A Chorus Line. Their sweet harmonies and confident performances brought fresh energy to the night. They later joined the main choir for highlights from West Side Story and their own standout Mamma Mia medley, finishing with the final number Lullaby of Broadway from 42nd Street.
Solo performances were a real highlight throughout the evening. Megan and Paul Stephenson sang Love Is an Open Door from Frozen with warmth and charm, while Mary Hancock gave a commanding rendition of The Hills Are Alive from The Sound of Music.
Selections from West Side Story, Wicked and Aladdin brought more familiar melodies to the programme, with I Feel Pretty, One Hand One Heart, Maria, and America standing out as audience favourites.
Further solos wowed the crowd, including Amanda Bouskill with her beautifully controlled high-range performance of Is It Really Me? from 110 in the Shade, and the entertaining duet The Book of Mormon by Charles Shneider and Paul Stephenson.
Valerie Housden gave a stunning performance of Bring Him Home from Les Misérables, delivered with sincerity and rich tone. The evening continued with Fixer Upper from Frozen and Send in the Clowns, both warmly received by the audience.
The concert ended on a high with the jazzy Lullaby of Broadway, leaving the audience calling for more.
The next concerts from Ely Choral Society are:
🎶 Saturday 18 October – Autumn Concert at Ely Cathedral
🎄 Saturday 13 December – Christmas Concert at St Mary’s Church
