MUSIC lovers joined Forest favourites The Tan House Singers for a “summer evening of song and solidarity” with refugees from Ukraine at a special concert last week.

The singers, now in their 40th year of choral singing, performed for an “enthusiastic” audience at their concert ‘Songs for a Summer Evening’ at Maismore Village Hall.

The concert had “something for everyone” including madrigals and songs by Stanford, Bernstein, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sondheim and more.

And a special welcome was given to Ukrainian families who are staying with members of the choir community.

As the evening drew to a close, the choir’s penultimate piece was ‘A Prayer for Ukraine’, sung “passionately” in Ukrainian with the families standing to join in.

The concert then ended with a “heartfelt” rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ from the musical ‘Carousel’, but with “special resonance” for singers and guests.

A retiring collection was also taken for the support of people in Ukraine via the Disasters Emergency Committee.

One audience member said it was “a unique evening and one to treasure.”

Another said :”The audience appreciated a range of choral singing covering contemporary and traditional fare.”

One Ukrainian host family member commented: “Our families were very touched by the sentiments and support that they received.”

A fourth person added: “The solidarity evoked by the overall performance was evident in … the speech of thanks by a Ukrainian family representative.”

The singers are now on their summer break, but restart rehearsals in September to begin preparations for their Christmas concert in Highnam.

For more information about joining the group, go to www.tanhousesingers.org.