DECIBELS CHOIR SING AT MANS UNIDAS CHARITY NIGHT
– Ampolla 20th March 2010
Saturday night, 9.00pm. About 200 people who had contributed in some way to the Mans Unidas charity through the year were seated in the Ampolla sports centre for the end of year get together. After a brief introduction by the evening the Chairlady made a short presentation of the activities of the previous year. The charitable organisation donates several thousand Euros every year to a variety of activities in third world countries such as India, Paraguay, Bangladesh and several African countries. The money goes to basic projects like provision of wells for fresh water or providing medicines and trained voluntary workers who can save hundreds of lives by giving inoculations or anti-biotics or educating the people in hygene etc. 
Afterwards there was a light supper including wine and all the food and drinks was from donations from local traders etc. This meant that 100% of the money taken from ticket sales went to the charity. Dozens of people donated their time and energy to provide all the “backroom” support activity to the evening.
It came to the entertainment part of the evening which was provided by The Decibels Choir. “It´s always difficult to know what to call ourselves” commented a choir member “ ´Choir´ seems such a pompous word for what we do. We sing and enjoy ourselves, we harmonise and we can be choral but we perform a wide range of songs and all of them with a smile on our face”.
The opening song was “Vos Heu Pasat Vora l´Aigua” (A fisherman´s song) performed in Catalan. It broke the ice and the audience broke into spontaneous applause, which is something not normally expected in Catalunya. There followed a short Gospel medley which is always a favourite and then a Catalan hymn which allowed everyone to clap and even sing along in places. Displaying the Decibel´s diversity the “choir” then sang “California Dreamin´” the 1965 hit song by the Mamas and Papas. Faces in the audience lit up as they recognised the tune heads nodded to the beat and feet began to tap under the tables.
It seemed to those on stage that things couldn´t get much better but the Decibels had one more little surprise up their sleeve. The 30 singers re-arranged themselves on stage into men on one side and ladies on the other and went into a simply choreographed step which accompanied “Stand by Me” which was originally recorded by Ben E. King and more recently released by the group Oasis. Visually, the men were inviting the ladies across the stage to stand by them! And slowly the two groups converged for the finalé to the song and to great amusement of the audience.
The performance was rounded off with a medley in Gospel style which included “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and “When the Saints go marching in”.
There followed the almost mandatory raffle with some 50 prizes being given out, all donated by local businesses and individuals.
Organisers commented that it had been a great night from all respects, benefit to the charity as well as fun for the participants and the helpers and audience alike. Almost € 3000.00 was made on the night for the charity.
THE DECIBELS are a singing group which has grown from about 15 people at the end of 2009 to around 50 members today. We have singers from all four countries of Great Britain but also a ever growing contingent from Catalunya, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland etc. Everyone and anyone who loves to sing are welcome to come and join us. To quote our leader (Maestro) “we do not demand that you can sing but only that you come with enthusiasm and a willingness smile”.
For further information contact:
Tony Doyle – Maestro/Leader Tel: 628-553535
Ernest Roig Tomas – President Tel: 977-490004
Short URL: http://www.chroniccat.com/?p=229
Posted by editor
on 2010-04-06 Filed under April 2010, Entertainment.
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