Raising the roof (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Raising the roof

6:00pm Sunday 2nd August 2009 in Search Module

HOW often have you seen people queuing to enter a church, or heard a 17-piece jazz band of top-class professional musicians lifting the roof when playing in a church?

And how often have you heard of 120 children, teenagers and adults stand in a church for a minute’s silence in memory of a much-loved costume-maker and designer, June Kinchenton.

All this happened at All Saints’ Church, in Southern Road, on July 18, and it was a truly special occasion.

Tracey Kinchenton has frequently taken her company of singers, dancers and musicians to The Haymarket, The Anvil and Queen Mary’s College.

The last time she produced an entire show in a church was during a tour of the Falklands 25 years ago.

She is no stranger to producing shows in unusual venues and worked for many years entertaining the troops all over the world.

She knows exactly how to give a venue a theatrical environment whilst still retaining the special qualities of the building itself, and her imaginative, respectful use of this lovely, simple church says a great deal about her sensitivity and gifts as a choreographer.

I’m not sure what touched me the most – Tracey on her knees encouraging about 25 under-fives to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, or the formation of a new youth ladies’ choir called The Junettes, who sang a wonderful Michael Jackson song.

The new choir has been formed in memory of Tracey’s mother and I cannot think of a more beautiful tribute.

In between the energetic tap dancing we had soloist Steve Pert charming us all with his great voice and a fine selection of classics from the jazz world.

The Tappers themselves are developing many fine soloists including Lily Deemer, whose father plays in the band and whose mother is the producer, Tracey Kinchenton. The Tappers is a family company in more ways than one. Francesca McMahon is another soloist who belongs to this talented company.

I have been a member of All Saints’ Church since I came to Basingstoke and during that time I’ve heard many a sermon based on a verse from the psalms. I do not think I have ever heard the lines “make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands and serve the Lord with gladness” explained to me more vividly or more enthusiastically.

–Hannah Williams