Choral Society is not a choir or a club. We've all heard about High society, the café society and so on, which identify people collectively who share a common interest. There exists amongst singers a bond which identifies and unites them in the same way. So this web-site is a WebMag for choral singers who are passionate about their singing. If you’d like to make a contribution, please tell the Web-master

Coming soon!
Thame Chamber Choir Junior Choir
How to Psing Psalms

CHORAL SOCIETY WebMag is now on Facebook. Like or Not Like?
 

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The site is now receiving
over 1,100 hits a day!

With this level of traffic, it is mutually beneficial to have reciprocal links. Please tell your web-master. This site is changing and developing as a result of your input and my self-indulgent additions! So what’s new?

This is! Composers & Performers page.
I receive quite a few e-mails from Composers and Performers who are offering their skills to choirs. Until now I have had to explain that ChoralSociety is a WebMag and not a choir and so does not commission people. In the interests of furthering Choral Music, I now welcome contributors. Please e-mail me your details so that I can list you appropriately.

Here’s a list of other contributors’ Facebooks.

Let me know if you would like to be added. There is not enough room to list individuals excepting composers, soloists, accompanists, conductors, etc.

Slots seeking singers
or singers seeking slots?

If you need singers or you are a mélomane and can’t (or don’t want to) stop singing, you’ll find “Need Choral Singers? Ask here!” on Facebook very useful.
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Here is a new app for the iphone to help you become note-perfect! Click this link to learn about Learn my part.
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Editorial messages.

You can click on FEEDBACK to send me a message but e-mail is quicker.

Archives from 2007 to 2011 can now be found under Links & Archives.

Please, please give this site a link to yours. It is mutually beneficial. If you want a logo, right-click to download and save here. Please make the link to this site simply as
choralsociety.org.uk
Don’t point to specific files because their location might change!
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Are your concerts a sell-out?

Rupert Street talks to Di Masters, Publicity Manager of Ashtead Choral Society and discovers that it Pays to be Pushy. Read the article here.
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Which composers will be popular in 2012?

Any ideas, please send them to John the Mélomane

Lots of famous people were born in 1912 including Jean Françaix, Kathleen Ferrier, Virgil Fox (first heard him at Canterbury as a small boy and resolved to visit every English Cathedral), Alfred Deller, John Cage

Jean Françaix is amazing!

In response to the mention above, I am in contact with Armelle Turc. She has told me about the Organisation du centenaire-2012 de Jean Françaix Inscrit officiellement parmi les "Célébrations Nationales 2012.” In short, his Centenary celebration 2012.

If you have never heard his choral music then listen to his Oratorio ‘L’Apocalypse selon Saint Jean’ here. The web-site is very good but very big but as they say in the Michelin Guide, “vaut le voyage”. Comment on the Choral Society Facebook
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Want something to read
other than a score?

Boy choristers have sung the liturgy in English cathedrals for fourteen hundred years. Until now, their history has never been written. The author Alan Mould takes you from the Middle Ages, through the upheavals of The Reformation, Georgian neglect to the Victorian revival to the present day. Buy The English Chorister from www.continuumbooks.com

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Why the 4B pencil? Just to remind you NOT to use a highlighter or an HB pencil or a ball-point pen to mark up your score! And remember to erase your markings before you return your score to the librarian

What do you think?
Make your comment on Facebook
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Feel like singing
without months of note bashing?

Nick Landauer, conductor of Cantamus Reigate is planning a concert with Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms as the manin work. If you are interested in singing without months of note-bashing and live within singing distance of Reigate, contact Nick here
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Did you perform with Eric Whitacre on Youtube?
Too late for your entry but read all about it here ____________________________________

More news.

Can you help the Kathleen Ferrier Society? I have been contacted by David Whittaker as follows. “I am presently doing research for the Kathleen Ferrier Society. We are compiling a performance chronology of the great contralto's career, which we aim to complete for her centenary celebration in 2012.

I have discovered she sang in two performances of the Messiah at:
'The Regal Cinema' Chesterfield on January 7th 1945 and 'The Regal Cinema' Chesterfield
on January 6th 1946

If you could find the time and you have access to this information would it be possible for you to give us any further details of these performances? Who the other soloists were? The orchestra? The conductor? (I feel sure it must have been the Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir?). The KFS would be very grateful for your co-operation, our Chronology will have two more completed performance details and there will be a record of the professional link between Ferrier and the Chesterfield Choir.”
Contact David at
david.woodlands40@btinternet.com

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Singing Holidays (Contact Jeff Stewart) is a new venture, which takes amateur singers to Umbria, Italy for a week. During that time, guests will be treated to 2 hours of daily rehearsals plus some short rehearsals in idyllic locations. Do you know of anybody who went who would like to give a report?
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Where do you find your
professional soloists?

Jill Davies has been a regular contributor since 2009 when she took over Concert Directory International. This Artist Agency had been run for 30 years by Cathy Scott. Jill met Cathy and her husband Jim Griffett when she was in Ilkley for a performance of Messiah. w116-Jill DaviesThe soloists on that occasion included Neil Baker, who made his oratorio debut in the same church at Cathy’s suggestion. Jill observed that Cathy "obviously had an ear for a good voice". She built up CDI from nothing. Jill understands the problem faced by choirs which have one (and only one) rehearsal with professional singers on the day of the concert. So give her your problem rather than trying to solve it yourself! Jill read music at Manchester Univesity but go here Davies Music to read what she is doing now.

w156-Sarah-LeonardRecent activity. Rebecca Hodgetts sang Brahms’ Requiem with Hunts Phil, Julie Cooper and Robert Rice were in Worcester for a St John Passion, and Jeanette Ager is sang Mahler 2 in Nottingham. A rarity is Britten's Cantata Academica heard in Cardiff, with the University Choir and Orchestra performing with soloists Sarah Leonard (pictured), Margaret McDonald and Brian Bannatyne-Scott.
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Like-minded...

John Hooper is a like-minded singer, musician and doer of all the sort of things which would interest you. The title of his site is "John's (downloadable) Midi File Choral Music".w256_john_hooperGo to www.learnchoralmusic.co.uk where there are lots of Midi Files that might be of assistance to Choral Singers far and wide. Also very good advice on how to play midi files and what NOT to expect when you play them!
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Orlando Chamber Choir
welcomes Richard Wilberforce

Orlando Chamber Choir announce their new conductor Richard Wilberforce. Richard became passionate about conducting at an early age when he was occasional conductor of Croydon Parish Choir. He trained as a Choral Scholar at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he directed the Trinity Male Voice Choir and The Gentlemen of St John’s College. Richard finished his training at the Royal College of Music and worked in Paris for a few years as director of the Choir of the American Cathedral and the Paris Choral Society. In January 2012 he was appointed conductor of the Hallé Youth Choir, working with Sir Mark Elder. He is also musical director and conductor of The Exon Singers. Richard is an internationally renowned countertenor. He works as a composer of predominantly choral music. See Orlando’s next concert here.
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Yet another Orlando; Orlando Singers is based in the middle of Dorset, with singers from London to Somerset. They perform in cathedrals including Canterbury, Winchester, Lincoln, Truro, Bristol and Ely. The choir does not meet weekly. Instead, they have six Saturday "sing-days". Take a look at their site.
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There is yet another Orlando in Cambridge. Who can tell us more?
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One of many useful contributions from Brian Maskell is this. He has used NoteWorthy Scriptorium to prepare electronic versions of pieces for himself and fellow choristers are learning. He says it is a very versatile tool and fantastic value for money. He adds, “I am not on commission!”
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Ever heard of MULAG?
Well, you have now!

In 2002, the Eastbourne and Hastings Music Libraries closed and their Music Librarians were made redundant or moved elsewhere. The Lewes Music Library was demolished and its music collection severely reduced.

So what happened to the music?

The music scores, reference books and recordings from all three libraries were either 'weeded out' and sold or put into storage.

These actions by East Sussex County Council have deprived local musicians, music lovers, teachers and students of an essential resource. MULAG was formed to campaign for long term Music Library provision. If you are concerned about this loss, please consider joining MULAG. You can read the the most recent Newsletter which I have by clicking here.

mulag.org.uk seems to have disappeared. The only web link is here

Two ‘High Note’ MULAG campaigners are Roy and Angela Goodall. They publish “Words and Music” five times a year. Download January/February 2012 issue here and March/April 2012 here. This magazine is for those of you in Surrey, Sussex and Kent and London boroughs South of the Thames who love the Performing Arts. I originally saw this about ten years ago in my local library where it is distributed free. But hey, it has developed enormously so is worth ordering by post for £8 a year from Roy and Angela Goodall, 28,Northcote Lane, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven, East Sussex, BN10 7ED. Visit their web-site words-and-music.info
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How far is far?. So far, New Orleans but even more recently, South Korea.

James shin, a choral conductor in Incheon is a reader of this site.

One of the singers of Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, named Ginger, asked for some help on Bernstein’ Chichester Psalms. I was delighted to answer her and in passing, I said I lived about 60 miles from Chichester. She replied,
“WHAT??!!!! In England??!! Ohmygawd! Oh well I shouldn't be surprised; I just thought that this was a web site from the American Chorus Society! Great!”

The site is worth a visit. You can always learn something from other choirs.
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Liturgical Music Courses. I had not not heard from them for ages but now Richard Smith who runs them tells me
We held two courses this summer, one in Winchester Cathedral with about sixty singers, and another, specialist, course in Worcester Cathedral. For the first time this year we worked with a resident composer,
Sam Bordoli, and recordings and pdfs of his work will be on the web site -
www.liturgicalmusic.co.uk - soon!
Right now I'm preparing the St Albans course for August 2012 and we have plans to run a course for professional church musicians from overseas, hopefully with tutoring from Adrian Lucas. With more and more singers coming from far away (all over Europe, Singapore and the USA this year) it seems like the right time.”
SO KEEP LOOKING HERE!
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Here’s something interesting; a site called Helping You Harmonise. It is all about Liz Garnett and what she as a professional musician, can offer singers. In her own words “Helping You Harmonise offers ideas to help choral directors and singers in vocal ensembles to rehearse and perform more effectively.” We now have reciprocal links because we both feel that we can benefit one another. Take a look. It’s an interesting site. www.helpingyouharmonise.com
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Get smitten with SMITF.

St. Martin’s in the Fields is a magical venue for choral concerts. Bob Porter (Brandenburg Sinfonia) presents many concerts there and our choir could be one of them. Bob’s ‘band’ has accompanied many choirs. If you are interested in performing Brahms’ Requiem but lack the resources for a full orchestra, He has written an arrangement for small orchestra (Brandenburg Sinfonia ideally!). You can each him at Brandenburg Sinfonia
 

Bob is Artistic Director of the successful Brandenburg Spring Choral Festival. He is already working on the 2013 Festival so keep looking here for some of his innovative ideas.
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If I received a tenner
with every request for a tenor...

London chamber choir Londinium, acclaimed (so I’m told) for its performances of unusual a cappella repertoire from all periods, is seeking top-notch tenors to boost its ranks for a performance of the Pizzetti Requiem, alongside works by Josquin, Mendelssohn, Tavener and Vaughan Williams on Tuesday 10th July 2012Londinium.
If you have excellent sight-reading, enjoy performing challenging, unaccompanied music, are available for rehearsals in June and would like to join our friendly group of singers, please contact Helen Statham using the Contact Us form on the Londinium web-site to arrange an audition.

... I’d be very wealthy!
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Nothing succeeds like success!

w153-LewishamHacknety0mar2012Lewisham Choral Society and Hackney Singers did Handel’s Messiah at The Royal Festival Hall. This was a big venture (and big investment) for these two London choirs. Owing to the publicity and work by choir members on the ground, it was a commercial success . There’s nothing like ticket sales for meeting the costs.

Another commercial and musical success was Ashtead Choral Society’s Carmina at Dorking Halls. They sold over 500 of the available 800+ tickets. Apart from their Summer w1555-carminaconcert on 9th June, they are travelling up to The Smoke on 30th June where they will be giving Handel’s Messiah an airing at St. James’, Piccadilly. More on New Events.
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Do you remember South Oxhey Choirs,

Gareth Malone nd all that? Well, Gareth is no longer involved but choral singing flourishes in South Oxhey. Mark Brunette says that he is assisting in the organising of The Peace Proms, a Charity Concert on 23rd November in aid of The Watford Peace Hospice. It will be held at the Watford Colloseum. This will be in the Presence of HRH Pricess Michael of Kent. It is going to be a classical concert with South Oxhey Choir, Watford Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra performing individual slots. Mark requires 2 more choirs to perform. It will be based on “Last night at the Proms” and will be a very prestigious event. If you are interested in taking part, please e-mail nmbraithwaite@peacehospice.org.uk or events@southoxheychoirs.org and mention this site choralsociety.org.uk
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Bob Chilcot’s new Requiem CD

His long-awaited recording of his Requiem is now available for download and to pre-order on CD from Hyperion Records. It is officially released on 26th March.

Described as "thoughtful and contemplative" by Nicola Lisle reviewing the premiere of the piece in the Oxford Times in March 2010, the Requiem has been performed in the UK, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands and Australia.

There will be a launch concert by the Wells Cathedral Choir who have made the recording on Saturday 5th May The Chilcott team will be there in full strength!

Both Epsom Chamber Choir and Reigate & Redhill Choral Society are performed it on 24th March and there are workshop opportunities too. More soon.
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How do you score?

Recently I had to return hired scores to their owner. When I cleaned them up, it was very interesting to see singers' markings. Of the thirty copies, three had no markings at all. Only two-and-a-bit marked the next note overleaf. Altos were the most prolific writers. The parts most Big Breaths marked were the sops. One score had the corner of every page turned over excepting the covers (ugh!).

Men scored lower than the ladies but then they don't read maps, they don't ask for help when they are lost and they don't turn round. Mind you, ladies can only read maps upside down so perhaps they need more markings. It was pleasing to see that nobody had used a ball-point or a yellow highlighter (double-ugh!). The two remaining scores are flying somewhere as free spirits but the gaming season starts soon. Big gun on order. Make your comments on FaceBook or e-mail the Web-master.
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BBC Radio 4 Today programme featured The Raucous Caucus Recovery Chorus which is made up mainly of former drug users and alcoholics from Liverpool.

They rehearse in a small room at an addiction charity office and you have to be sober to sing: all members pledge that they've been off drink or drugs for at least 24 hours.

Being in the choir is part of the treatment for these former users, doing something normal like singing with other people.

The choir has a wider significance as the public face of a new programme in tackling addiction called Recovery - a movement in which Liverpool is playing a leading role.

Rather than manage an addiction with drug substitutes or controlled drinking, people go through detox and then practise total abstinence. See here and take a look on Choral Societys Facebook
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On Saturday 17th March, Vivace chorus is gave their first concert at the new G Live Concert Hall in Guildford. "Night at the Opera" was an evening of operatic music.
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Langlais Festival Choral Course in Brittany is now Complet!

The scholars will sing in Brittany with Malcolm Archer, composer David Bednall and voice coach Hilary Jones from 21st to 26th July.

There is also a Solo Master-class given by Hilary Jones with accompanist Colin Spinks. You can see the brochure here although the course is full for 2012. If you would like to be kept informed about 2013, go to
www.brittanymuwsicworkshops.co.uk

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Morning warm-up at La Fontenelle. The Langlais Festival Choir sang in the Annual Sailors’ Society service at St. Columba’s, Pont Street on 25th October 2011. See Facebook entries.

Read Rupert Street’s report on the 2010 course HERE. He liked it so much that he went back for more in 2011 and is going again in 2012!
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More courses in France ...

w156-Franck Pellé-RolandFranck Pellé-Rolland, Artistic Director of "Le Chant des Oyseaux" is leading three Summer choral workshops in France. The first workshop will be held in Arradon, Brittany from 7th to 14th July. The second workshop will take place in the Abbey of Caunes-Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon.
A third workshop is open to choral conductors is being held in the Abbey of Caunes-Minervois from 5th to 11th August. More here
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The Brandenburg Spring Choral Festival ends 28th April.
Buy your tickets now!.

Surrey Voices kicked off the Festival with a resounding Messiah. Rupert Street reports “You know within the first few bars whether you are going to enjoy the music or just hear the notes. This was a very sensitive performance under the leadership of conductor Malcolm Hicks. Bob Porter introduced the Festival and his Brandenburg Sinfonia baroque players made a very sweet sound.” The last concert will be given by the New London Chamber Choir on 28th April at
St. Martin-in-the-Fields.

GIVE YOURSELF AN EVENING OFF FROM SINGING. LOTS OF LOVELY MUSIC; TRY LISTENING TO SOME JAZZ!
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Remember the Easton Rabble Chorus?

Fancy a trip to Ipswich? Easton Rabble Chorus’ repertoire is very eclectic. Folk songs, 'pop' songs by bands like Divine Comedy and the Kinks, world music, songs from musicals and the odd bit of classical for special occasions eg. Really Big Chorus events. Basically they perform whatever their MD, Kirsty Logan, feels will work for the voices and has time to arrange! Take a look on YouTube here to see a choir really enjoying themselves.
There is now a second 'Daylight' Rabble Chorus for singers who can't get out in the evening. The Rabble Chorus can now be found at www.therabblechorus.co.uk and www.facebook.com/RabbleChorus
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A new singing group in Ewell, Surrey - TopNotes Surrey - started in January at Bourne Hall, Ewell. An introduction to choral singing for those who might not be confident enough to join a "proper" choir. There is no commitment beyond paying £8 a time (there will be a discount for anyone booking 10 sessions). Conductor is Jo Bryant, an enthusiastic professional musician.
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Close harmony in Surrey

Lingfield Harmony is a women’s a capella choir based in Lingfied, Surrey (where else?). Interested? Contact Vanessa Lydon
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The Sixteen’s new Palestrina CD
on Special Offer!

Harry Christophers and The Sixteen have recently released a brand new recording of works by Palestrina. It's the first in a brand new series devoted to the composer.

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£5 discount* on the disc and free postage and packaging if bought online here. Remember to type 'CHORAL' into the discount box at the bottom of the order confirmation pages when buying your CD. Tell your friends about the offer.
*CD normally £12.00 + P&P reduced to £7.00 including P&P with this offer.
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Did you sing something last Christmas

Encore Publications has introduced me to June Nixon’s attractive arrangement of The Holly and the Ivy, based on a traditional French tune. This was featured in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols broadcast on BBC radio from King's College, Cambridge, last Christmas Eve. Her carol was also included in the traditional televised celebration, Carols from King's. Interestingly it is in a minor key finishing with a major cadence. You can hear it on YouTube here This is with organ accompaniment but the composer’s orchestral version is available from the publisher.

You might also consider some new works by Canon Chris Chivers. Diptych, God made a Garden, The Kohima Epitaph and Ubi Caritas et Amor. Thet are written for unaccompanied voices. His son, also Chris, has written Born in a Stable, a carol for unaccompanied mixed voices. If you go here, you will some some sample pages of the scores as a pdf. You can buy the scores from Tim Rogers of Encore.
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Londinium City Voices has a new MD

Stephen Farr is Londinium’s newly appointed Joint Musical Director, a position he shares with Andrew Griffiths. He has an established reputation as one of the leading organists of his generation, and made his début at the Proms in 2011 with a solo organ recital. He is Director of Music at St Paul's Church Knightsbridge and Worcester College Oxford.
Read more here www.londinium-voices.org.uk

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“We can’t do Brahms’ Req because...”

w131_bob_porterFor many choirs, the idea of performing Brahms' Requiem with an orchestra is impossible. That was until Bob Porter, the Artistic Director of Brandenburg Sinfonia wrote his orchestral arrangement for 18 parts! If you’d like to know more, click on Bob Porter At least one Music Director reader of this site is investigating.
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Why not tie-up with a local charity, make friends and contribute to your local community?

Sussex Festival Choir raises £37,000

Through the generosity of the orchestra and participants, the Sussex Festival Choir ‘Come and Sing’ Messiah in Croydon Parish Church on 5th February made a profit of around £300. The choir under the leadership of Stephen Hope has now raised £37,000 for Hospices. Here’s an example how it helps.

Only about one third of St. Christopher’s Hospice income comes from the NHS. They have to raise more than £9 million p.a. to continue to deliver their patient and family services free of charge.
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Tired of singing the same old thing? Want something different?

Write your own
Music Notation and scanning software interests me very much. I have just been introduced to Music Publisher by Kay and Peter Bates. Has anybody else tried this? Read more.

or commission a composer such as
David Bednall (see below) or
Patrick Hawes who is is currently number 3 in the Classical Charts with his Highgrove Suite. Read about his Song of Songs collection of six pieces for voices and strings. This was Classic FM’s April 2009 CD of the Week.
Malcolm Archer composes wonderfully melodious music to sing.
Then consider Alexander Campkin. The BBC Singers directed by David Hill are to perform one of his Christmas Carols to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Christmas 2010.
James Weeks’ new composition will be performed by Orlando Chamber Choir. “Orlando Tenebrae (2010)” revisits from a modern secular standpoint the Tenebrae liturgy which marks Jesus' suffering before the symbolic rebirth of Spring.
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Want to know the score?

More news here very soon of new sources of music to hire at very reasonable rates.
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Have you a Voice for Verdi?

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Dr Norman Hamblyn of Darent Valley Choir asks, “Would you like to sing Verdi’s Requiem?

The Darent Valley Choir has been asked to perform the Verdi Requiem as part of the Sevenoaks Festival on Saturday 7th July 2012. The performance will be in the Pajoma Hall, which is the concert hall in the new Arts and Music Centre in Sevenoaks School. This is considered to be the finest concert hall in Kent. A full orchestra will accompany the performance.

Unfortunately, the DVC does not have enough singers to stage the event on its own and is looking for experienced singers to join them. If you have sung this work before we would be delighted to welcome you. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 8pm in the Anthony Roper School, High Street, Eynsford and hope that you will be able to manage a few rehearsals which start on Wednesday May 2nd However, if you would have difficulty in getting to our rehearsals and, if you are confident that you can sing the work without attending rehearsals, then please just come to the rehearsal on the Saturday afternoon.

If you can join us please contact our Chairman, Mrs Gill Knight whose e-mail is gillypoppy@googlemail.com with your contact details, your voice part and whether you would need to borrow a copy of the score.”

Rehearsal schedule here

Please help. Dr. Norman doesn’t want a Sloppy Giuseppe!

The English Arts Chorale sing it from memory (Queen Elizabeth Hall in 2011)
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Want to be a Cathedral Singer?

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Caroline Johnson, MD of the Oriana Singers ‘fine tuning’ with Matthew Burgess at the rehearsal for their concert at St. Clement Danes as part of the Brandenburg Spring Choral Festival 2012.

The Oriana Singers have sung at every Anglican Cathedral in the country and in recent years in Wales and Northern Ireland. More about the choir from Chair, Rosie here Oriana Singers
Their last engagement was in Peterborough Cathedral. To come are Coventry Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral and a week in 2013 at Truro Cathedral.

Oriana Singers was the only dedicated Cathedral choir to take part in the Brandenburg Spring Choral Festival 2012. They will be singing the programme on Saturday 2nd June in aid of ‘Help for Heroes’ “Queen & Country” which covers six centuries of choral music, is inspired by the Diamond Jubilees of Queen Elizabeth II.

See their web-site
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Vacancy for accompanist in Shalford

Shalford Choral Society is seeking an accomplished Accompanist/Assistant Music Director to join a well established choral society based in Shalford, Surrey.
“We are a mixed voice choral society with around 35 members and participate as one of two founder choirs in the Leith Hill Music Festival in Dorking. We also host a two-yearly come and sing concert with Guildford Symphony Orchestra at Holy Trinity Church in Guildford with professional soloists. We consider ourselves to be a friendly group who are committed to delivering first class results. The successful applicant will accompany the choir at their rehearsals on Tuesday evenings from September to April in St Mary’s Church, Shalford, from 7:30-9:30pm. In addition you will accompany the choir in concerts in the Shalford area as planned with the committee and Music Director.
You will be an experienced and flexible pianist familiar in accompanying a choir, including taking rehearsals, as is occasionally required, from the piano. Preference will be given to anyone also able to play the organ. You will be committed to working alongside the Musical Director in planning concert repertoire.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by members of the committee and the Musical Director, and will be invited to attend a rehearsal in Shalford Methodist Church on 15 May when there will be an opportunity to meet/accompany the choir. The appointment is to commence in September 2012.”For further information or an informal chat, please telephone Maura Dearden,
Chair on 07825 870150 or e-mail maurad48@gmail.com
Closing date 7th May 2012
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A new Community Event in Edenbridge, Kent on Saturday 9th June

“The Creation of Eden” is a musical setting of The Creation; no, not the famous Haydn’s Oratorio!. The musical production links a retelling of the Bible sequence with the formation of the Eden Valley as related by the Rev Somers-Cocks in his 1912 history of Edenbridge.

Local musicians and performers have a chance to take part in a community event which will premiere at this year’s Eden Valley Festival. The Creation of Eden has been written primarily as a vocal score and will feature local singing group, A Cappella. More singers are needed for an augmented choir and also instrumental musicians and dancers, to make this a truly rounded piece of musical theatre. Rehearsals for the choir will take place weekly on Sunday evenings at the Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Edenbridge. The performance will be held on the evening of Saturday 9th June with a full rehearsal earlier that afternoon. The organisers are looking for

  • Singers (ability to read music is an advantage but not essential).
  • Choristers and community singers to join all choruses
  • Community singers to join the full choir for set pieces
  • Soloists: Tenor and soprano soloists required for duet
  • Instrumental musicians: especially. strings, woodwind, percussion
  • Dancers: experience of ballet, modern, jazz or tap would be an advantage

If you would like to sing with A Cappella in all or part of the production, or if you feel you could contribute your skills as an instrumental musician or performer,
please e-mail Jacky Hintze
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The London based City Chorus welcomes new singers to their rehearsals at the NatWest Building, 1 Princes Street, EC2R 8BP next to Bank station (Exit 1) at 6pm on Tuesdays. Potential members can meet the current choir and sing with them for the evening without obligation. There are vacancies for all voice parts. Here is their programme for 2012.

  • Spring 2012: One of the best- loved works in the choral canon, Vivaldi Gloria, presented alongside the London Mass in F by Johann David Heinichen, Vivaldi’s contemporary and fellow and a pupil of Bach
  • Summer 2012: A programme of music connected to, or inspired by, sports and games- everything from madrigals to show- tunes, stadium songs to new compositions rehearsing.

If you would like to join them, just turn up or contact Caroline Weiner at citychorus.info

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Motor into 2012 and 2013

Stephen Hope, the enterprising musician, conductor, organiser, charity fund raiser is giving you a chance to be enterprising.

He tells me “I am looking at a 'coach' tour for 2012 to Normandy with concerts in Rouen, Chartres and Bayeux Cathedrals and a full fledged tour to Salzbourg/Southern France for 2013 - your interest and input would be welcome!”.

This could be a wonderful opportunity to sing abroad. Some choirs used to do this sort of thing on a regular basis but found it became too expensive. If you are interested contact Stephen by e-mail here. Take another look at one of his choirs Sussex Festival Choir
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You can sing with A Capella Singers
in Weybridge, Surrey.

A Cappella Singers in Weybridge in Surrey is looking for new members, especially tenors and altos, to join immediately. They are a small friendly chamber choir. Their new conductor is looking to grow and develop their skills. No auditions are not required but a reasonable sight-reading required. For more information please contact secretary Diana Chapman
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Are 40 parts too many or or too few?

Monteverdi did his Vespro della Beata Vergine, 'Vespers' (1610) in 25 parts just a bit after Tallis. If you want to hear it you might consider going to Paris. It will be performed in 2012 by the Choeur du Marais It does not appear to be performed very often in the UK. The Mayfield Festival Choir did it in 2008 under Graham Caldbeck.
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TCC2:a new Children’s Choir
for Thame, Oxfordshire is Born.

The choir has been started by Thame Chamber. The organiser of TCC2 is Alison Green who is a well-known local music teacher. She says, “We’ve all seen the TV choirmaster Gareth Malone do his stuff and we all know that singing in schools can be a bit patchy: some excellent, some less so. When we realised there wasn’t a really good concert choir for children locally, we decided to found one. And so TCC2 was born”. You can hear TCC2 for the first time at Thame Chamber Choir's Christmas Fantasia concert conducted by Duncan Aspden on Saturday 18th December More.

w255_TCC2 Group
Founder Members of TCC2
at the first rehearsal.
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Charity Concert at St. Margaret the Queen, Buxted Park,
Saturday 20th October 2012

About £4,000 was raised last year for St. Peter & St. James Hospice. North Chailey, Sussex. Thanks to everybody who took part and the audience who gave so generously in addition to paying for their tickets. The event is open to all singers abnd if you haven’t already applied, go here.

(See previous pics here)
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Of course you are and will

Anna Martindale of Marie Curie writes as follows: “I'm writing to you on behalf of Marie Curie Cancer Care to ask if you would be interested in promoting an event of ours called 'Sing Out' on your web-site. The event it aimed at choirs, carol singers, anyone with a love of music and asks them to hold a singing event to raise money for us.” Find out more here

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Ever wondered where the young choristers go when they grow up?

w255_malcolmbury_brendadeanMystery partly solved thanks to Chairman, Malcolm Bury (pictured right), of St. Albans Cathedral Ex-choristers’ Association This is very interesting reading. Go to the site to read their latest Newsletter. Take a look too, at the official site of the Federation of Cathedral Old Choristers’ Associations which might be a source of new tenors for your choir!
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Do you ever complain and wish somebody would listen?

There was an interesting item on Radio 4’s Today programme which I followed up. There is a complaints organisation called Complaints Choirs Worldwide here and if you want a bit of fun, go to this item on YouTube. The things which people complain about (up with this I will not put) transcend nationalities and geographical boundaries. Why not compose your own piece and I will post it on this site.
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This item about Robin Milford, composer, was introduced to me by Nick Landauer MD of Cantamus Reigate. He is very interested in performing some of Robin's works.
Thanks to response from David Pettigrew, Publicity Manager of Epsom Choral Society, I can tell you this. “this Society (Epsom) was founded by Sir Humphrey Milford in 1922 in order to give his son Robin experience as a choral conductor in the Leith hill Musical Festival.

Robin grew up in Surrey. He was a pupil of Vaughan Williams and Holst and was a lifelong friend of Gerald Finzi, all of whom influenced his music. Mainly in the 'English' style, it includes choral, solo and chamber music, cantatas, a symphony and an Oratorio. He took over the direction of the Leith Hill choir, Dorking.  If this resonates with you, contact Nick at Cantamus Reigate
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A new aid from the USA to Learning the Notes. I don’t accept commercials or advertisements but if something interesting comes up for singers, I will include it in the editorial. SingleParts CDs are available to choral singers in the UK. I have had a look at this and think it is good. I personally continue to use midi files because I haven’t found anything why suits me better. Go to their web-site for more information and a demo. Tell me what you think by clicking FEEDBACK at the top of the next column.
www.rehearsalarts.com
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By request this link is left at the request of singers who want to Learn Brahms’ Requiem - click here
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BBC Performing Arts Fund, a charity that was set up within the BBC in 2003 to help everyone achieve their musical ambitions, from choirs, hip hop artists and musical theatre performers to folk musicians. Since its inception the fund has awarded over 3m to aspiring musicians, performers and groups across a range of genres through funding instruments, training and development. To learn more about what the fund does and how you can apply, visit the website
www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund
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Why not go to France to visit the Association Let’s Sing?

w255_JC+G

Click on Polymnia to find out more about them. Jean-Claude Rollet (left above) is the President and Founder of the Association Let’s Sing. This was formed in response to many people close to Paris who want to sing, who would like to learn how to sing and who would like to have the pleasure of meeting like-minded people. It is open to anybody who has the burning desire, be it experienced singers or those who are about to make their début. Their Music Director Gilles Gaubert (pictured right) is a ’Professeur de Chant’ so there is great concentration on breathing and relaxation. The choir performs as Polymnia.

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