Prosecco and songs at ‘joyous’ People’s Show Choir Summer Showcase

It was a choir collaboration full of joy and laughter at this year’s The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) Summer Showcase in Shropshire.

TPSCs for Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton, both led by Lorna Parkhouse, hosted a joint Summer Showcase on Saturday 21st July 2025.

The Church of the Holy Spirit in Shrewsbury was packed to the rafters for the concert that also included a guest spot by the children’s choir from Baschurch and Myddle C of E Primary Schools.

Along with uplifting music, there was also the sound of corks popping as Prosecco flowed during the interval for guests and singers alike.

“This was a true merging and collaboration of our choral communities,” explained Lorna, who conducts the choirs and is a trained concert pianist.

“We opened the evening with a bang, with our fabulous baritones having the spotlight in Phantom of the Opera, and from that moment the entire evening was a joyous, energetic and vibrant celebration of many of our favourite songs.

“From Enya to Erasure, Chicago to Hairspray, we took the audience on a musical journey and all delivered with our trademark passion and total commitment.”

Taking place during the heatwave hitting the UK, temperatures were also rising along with notes at the church hall.

“Our home venue was absolutely jam packed and as it was still 31 degrees, it’s safe to say we were a little warm,” added Lorna.

“And it wouldn’t be a Shrewsbury performance if Prosecco wasn’t involved somewhere, so during the interval the refreshments table was busy with corks popping regularly. Meanwhile, 250 people tried to cool down and get some fresh air outside in the church garden.”

The school choir also impressed the audience. They sang songs from Six the Musical and pop hit Reach for the Stars.

“They were equally confident and brilliant in their delivery of songs and led by a teacher whom we all agree was absolutely Mr Poppy from Nativity,” laughed Lorna.

“One of the Shrewsbury baritones also delivered a surprise performance of Dance of the Blessed Spirits on flute, which was absolutely beautiful – who knew we had such hidden talents within the choir?

“We wrapped up our fabulous evening with a super lively rendition of Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat, (complete with actions).”

As the hall emptied out, choir members worked together to tidy the venue in the heat before they all went home “for cool showers and more Prosecco”.

The Shrewsbury TPSC meets at Church of the Holy Spirit, in Meadow Farm Drive, Shrewsbury, every Tuesday night in term time from 7.15pm to 8.45pm. Lorna has described it as a choir where the members do “gorgeous things for one another”. You can read more about the choir and Lorna here.

The Summer Showcase in Shrewsbury is just one of many concerts taking place by TPSCs this season. You can read more about latest concerts announced here or visit the events page on the website here.

If you are interested in finding your voice by joining The People’s Show Choir, find out more here or take a look at where your nearest choir is here.