#By the light of the silvery Moon#
At the end of October, in appropriate silvery dress, a very large group of Gloucestershire Community Choirs helped celebrate the 50th. Anniversary of the Moon landing with an informal concert in Gloucester Cathedral. Members of the MOTO Group were there to appreciate the excellent and lively singing.
Overhanging the audience in the Nave was a huge spectacular replica Moon, its varied and fascinating surface illuminated from inside. It was flanked with streamers of ethereal blue light on surrounding pillars and arches. All part of national exhibitions to commemorate the anniversary. Many people were standing underneath the Moon with arms raised up high - imitating Atlas carrying the World - and urging their families to take photographs of them in that pose.
This very large group sang with precision and obvious enjoyment which their audience shared. The music was very varied, ranging from popular songs to those with gentle lyrics or stimulating African rhythms. The sound of a drum joined the latter but in the main the singing was unaccompanied. Not a song sheet in sight either. The enthusiastic leader, Liz Martin, was unfortunately not furnished with a microphone, and her introductions to the various songs were frequently lost in the vastness of the Nave and by the background noise from other visitors wandering around the Cathedral.
Nevertheless it was a most pleasant and enjoyable afternoon. A moment for reflection in appropriate surroundings of the wonder of the natural world around us, particularly in the heavens.
Report by Mary George
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