A Joyous Afternoon

“Sheer Joy”, “Uplifting” and “Fabulous” said concertgoers departing the Andante Andante Choir’s performance in front of a packed Gunning Courtroom on Sunday afternoon.

This ensemble is commonly known as The ABBA Choir.  It comprised some two dozen singers and musicians inspiringly led by the athletic and energetic violinist, kazoo player and comic actor Katie Cole.  Unquestionably, the almost 50 strong audience that came from near and far just loved the entire show.  We sang along [whether we were ABBA fans or not], laughed and smiled, and clapped and clapped the entire afternoon.

The choir was joined by drums, recorders and flute together, at times, with massed kazoos.  Their long-term accompanist, Crookwell’s Katrina  Rivera, made excellent use of Gunning’s grand piano and her guitar [not simultaneously].  It might be a step too far to say Andante does ABBA better than ABBA.  But the group’s obvious love of the oeuvre combined with their professionalism made for an outstandingly joyous afternoon.

Several members of the choir told us they love playing in Gunning.  And we love them playing here as well.  This was Andante Andante’s third performance here for the Gunning Focus Group and we very much hope it will not be their last.  You don’t have to be an ABBA tragic to delight in this choir’s unique and entertaining take on the music.