The Fishpond Choir travels to the Loire Valley to perform in Twinning Concert

The Fishpond Choir travelled to the town of Onzain in the French Loire Valley to represent Darley Dale in a twinning exchange visit and concert. 

Over an activity-packed weekend, choir members were hosted by French families and had the opportunity to sample delicious home cooking, explore local towns and chateau, sing in various beautiful locations and even try folk dancing. 

To round off the visit, the choir was privileged to perform to a packed audience of over 250 people in a 15th century hall, alongside a German choir from Flein, and the choir of Onzain.

Each choir sung a 30-minute programme of music and the Fishpond Choir chose to perform pieces inspired by British literature, history and composers.  These included Bob Chilcott’s ‘Skye Boat Song’, George Shearing’s lyric ballad ‘Who is Sylvia?’ and even the sizzling ‘Double Trouble’ chorus, composed for the Harry Potter film, ‘The Prisoner of Askaban.’

They then performed two further pieces as a massed choir, together with the choirs of Onzain and Flein. 

A spokesperson for the choir said: "The audience reception was fantastic and our choir was delighted to be invited to travel to Flein in Spring 2028 for an exchange visit.

"It was a wonderful for choir members to travel and spend time together as well as make new friends in France.  We are extremely grateful to the Darley Dale Twinning Committee, our French hosts and to our chairman, James Churchill for all the time they put into organising the trip."