A CHORAL choir’s concert was saved from disaster when the musical director stepped in to simultaneously play the piano and conduct.

Musical director of Maldon Choral Doctor Gillian Ward Russell jumped into action on Saturday morning to conduct and play the piano for the evening’s performance after her organised pulled out at the last minute.

The group were set to perform Joseph Haydn’s composition “The Creation” at the United Reformed Church.

But with the organist suffering a family emergency, things looked bleak.

This was the first time Dr Russell had had someone let her down, but she stepped up to the challenge to save the show.

The composition went ahead with Dr Russell conducting the choir, three soloists and a string quartet while simultaneously playing the piano as accompaniment.

Dr Russell said: “I never once entertained the idea of cancelling the show, it would have been the only other alternative.

“I didn’t receive the organist’s email until after 11am on the day, and then two hours later we had to drive into Maldon for the final rehearsal.

“It would have been very hard to find an organist in that time, and the chances of finding one who had played that composition recently was next to nil.

“I’ve had a lot of experience playing the organ and piano over the years, and in the last few months we’ve spent learning this composition I knew nearly every note by heart.

“It was also an incredible effort from all the other musicians, having me at the front and centre playing with a free hand is something they’ve not rehearsed for. They needed to pay attention in an extra special way and be more on the ball.”

Dr Russell has thanked the show’s audience for their support and positive reaction to the composition.

She said: “There was something special in the atmosphere that night. The audience was told at the start about the situation, otherwise they’d have been mystified.

“We had lots of comments after with people saying it was the best yet, which really were warming.”

Alwyn Jones, Dr Russell’s husband, said: “With Gillian at the forefront of it all it made us all realise what an astonishing musician and talent she truly is, it shed a whole new light on her skills.

“It was a great inspiration to the choir and to the soloists and other musicians; they all realised it was a tough situation but were spurred on by her confidence.

“Everyone tried very hard and put their best into the show, and it was a phenomenal success.”