Zimbe Concert a Complete Triumph

Barnt Green Choral gave Bromsgrove Festival 2026 a lively start by staging an exhilarating performance of Zimbe! Come Sing the Songs of Africa by Alexander L’Estrange at Routh Hall on Friday 19 June.   A packed audience was entranced by the infectious and joyous music performed by the combined choirs of Barnt Green Choral, Lickey End First School, Bromsgrove Pre-Prep School, and Bromsgrove Prep School, all supported by a wonderful jazz quintet.

The composer wrote: “My piece aims to reflect some of the manifold ways which music plays a part in everyday Africa.  I wanted to capture the essence of African spirit through glimpses of the human experience such as simple children’s playground songs, a lullaby for mothers of the victims of apartheid, a raucous drinking song, sensuous wedding songs, and some beautiful funeral and worship music.  African songs are easy to learn and impossible to forget – that is the very nature of the communal song tradition.”

One member of the audience commented after the performance “the opening bars were really powerful, and liveliness and enthusiasm gathered throughout the work.   The harmonies were wonderful and very well balanced. Bringing together the youngsters and adults, accompanied by the jazz band, was a complete triumph.  I was blown away.”

When Barnt Green Choral returns after its summer break it will commence rehearsals for Verdi’s Requiem which will be performed in Spring 2027.