Here are Members of The Silver Ring Choir who visited Singapore and New Zealand

The Tour to Singapore and New Zealand was an outstanding success with some momentous concerts. It was satisfying to receive a copy of this article which was printed in a local newspaper following the concert at Whakatane:

"It is not often that a choir of international acclaim visits the Bay of Plenty let alone ventures further from the main centres to small provincial towns such as Whakatane. And this is exactly what the Silver Ring Choir did, slotting Whakatane firmly in the middle of their performances at Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington and Christchurch.

The evening opened with a welcoming item from the local Edgecumbe Choir.

The Silver Ring Choir of Bath has been in existence since 1951 and demonstrated to all present at St.George and St.John's on Saturday night why they are one of the leading mixed-voice choirs in the UK.

Conductor of the choir since 1997, Grenville Jones kept the audience well informed of the history behind each item and interspersed this with anecdotal and humorous accounts of the choir on the world stage.

Their selection started with 'All in the April Evening', an unaccompanied setting and 'Pie Jesu' with soloist Claire Marson. This set the level for the rest of the evening and not once did the choir or its soloists falter.

The choir's choice of material was ideal and provided an excellent balance on a warm late Spring evening. The earlier pieces, sacred, traditional and very English in nature, provided a dignified and formal entrance to the evening. The 'Londondery Air, 'Lord's Prayer' and 'Irish Blessing' gave way to a quick and lively almost jazz section with classics such as 'Chattanooga Choo Choo', Java Jive' and Miss Otis Regrets'.

The Choir then moved to a Christmas section and captivated the Whakatane audience with several carols. 'O Holy Night' was wonderful, controlled and uplifting.

All soloists, Claire Marson, Steven Foulkes, Martina Mitchard, Sue Kenny and the Conductor himself, Grenville Jones, show just what a powerful instrument the human voice can be and how it can entertain, inspire, and mesmerise an audience.

The choir finished their evening with a surprise performanace of 'Hine e Hine' which revealed the reason for their guarded smile at the beginning of the conceret when the Edgecumbe Choir opened with the same piece. The Silver Ring Choir delivered a perfect rendition of this lovely song, and with no reference to words or score. Apparently, they had learnt the piece some time ago in the United Kingdom and were delighted to bring a performance of the New Zealand song to its country of origin. We were delighted too! Powerful, lively, reverent and spirited."