Swindon Scratch Choir at the Arts Centre

BEAUTIFUL, breathtaking, and brilliant, this was a midwinter, rafter-raising performance of songs to lift the spirits and warm the heart.

Swindon Scratch Choir, a relatively new choral outfit in this town of phenomenal choirs, proved once again what a wealth of talent lies latent during working hours, when the duty-bound are in their day jobs, but erupts in the evenings and at weekends, when many good day-jobbers do what they really really want.

And, in the case of this choir, it is singing songs from around the world.

In fact, it was the fabulous variety of songs, all sung a capella and in the choir's own vocally challenging but aurally exciting arrangements, that made this such an entertaining, uplifting and memorable night.

Here were voices raised harmony singing the kind of songs that men and women were made to sing together, the world over.

They put their own inimitable marks of vocal dexterity, authenticity and celebration on, among others, a Russian rendition of the Slavonic song Tebepoem, a great Civil Rights anthem Hold On, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Rain Rain Beautiful Rain.

In their choice of songs, brilliant arrangements, and manner of delivery, choir leader Linda Lee and her creative crew have hit on something special.

The Swindon Scratch Choir looks set to be part of the town's rich home-grown cultural scene for years to come.

- Matt Holland