Chorus bursts into songin packed high street

More than 40 members of Spinnaker Chorus, who usually sing in Blendworth, Horndean, stunned everyone around them when, on the blow of a pitchpipe, they launched into a four-part a cappella at the Market Cross and East Street.

Following the performance they mysteriously dispersed back into the crowds.

Jill Cook is Spinnaker’s president and lives in Chichester.

She said: ‘This was our first attempt at flashmob singing, and it was a great experience.

‘We had to synchronise our watches and try to blend into the background before quickly grouping together and singing.

‘It tested our ability to focus and to perform under different circumstances, it was wonderful watching people’s reactions.

‘Our renditions of Ain’t no Mountain High Enough” and One Fine Day were favourites with the crowd.’

Music director John Palmer led the chorus and praised their efforts.

He said: ‘It was designed as a bit of fun.

‘As the girls have been practising really hard recently for our fabulous Christmas show on December 3, at St Mary’s Church in Portsmouth.

‘It is also a great exercise in performance technique and synchronisation.

‘I was very proud of how well they managed, despite the distractions of the wonderful shops and cafes in Chichester, plus at times the cold and rain.’

Spinnaker Chorus are an award-winning barbershop chorus and practice every Wednesday evening in Blendworth Church Centre, Horndean.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the forthcoming Spinnaker show A Christmas Story, with special guest narrator, Charles Collingwood from BBC Radio’s The Archers, email [email protected] or go to

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