Brighton... and let's not forget Hove (actually)... is a city full of lovely treats! Tonight was the first major performance of the BH(a)GMC - held at the rather lovely St. Andrew's Church in Hove. You'd be forgiven for not having been there before - the church has been undergoing some serious renovation to bring it back into full use. The BH(a)GMC has made it their official home for their weekly rehearsals and, as from tonight, for their rather special shows.

Tonight the chorus, expertly conducted by Jason Pimblett, took us through loads of old favourites and had quite a few surprises up their sleeves. As well as solos by many of the chorus members throughout the evening we also had the pleasure of Dame Margot's fabulous falsetto echoing around the church for a few numbers. Between watching Margot and the Mayor comparing jewellery, I also had the pleasure of a quick chat with John Gould in the interval. John was responsible for most of the vocal arrangements tonight and is a man with considerable experience and talent, evidently...

If I had to pick a few personal highlights then I'd choose, for the first half, their rendition of The Roses of Success from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which was bloody marvellous, and I absolutely loved their choral arrangement of You Raise Me Up (a Jamie Watson favourite) in the second half.

The finale had the whole chorus storming on (after a powerful Pie Jesu from Dame Margot) in their whites for a rousing rendition of The Boyfriend which went down an absolute treat!

Congratulations are due to the boys for what was undoubtedly a storming success!