CHORAL SOCIETY WebMag
achieved 17,483 hits in January!
This site is changing and developing as a result of your input and my self-indulgent additions! This web-site has become a Web Magazine for passionate choral singers. So from now on it will be known as the Choral Society WebMag. So what’s new?
What happens next year when there is a ‘10’ in the date?
Moving out of a ‘09 suffix means that we’ve put Mendelssohn, Haydn and Handel behind us so what do we do in ‘10? There’s, Chopin and Schumann born in 1810, Thomas Arne and Pergolesi in 1710. Samuel Barber in 1910. Not related to this but I know of at least three events featuring Gounod’s messe solennelle de Ste. Cecile.
If you are doing it and want to learn the Gounod, click here.
Many thanks to Bob Parnham of the Chesterfield Philhamonic Choir and others for helping.
Curious how this happens. Are choirs giving audiences enough variety? What do you think? Any ideas for 2010?
For SALE (still)
I have still have five copies for sale of Elgar’s The Kingdom at £9 each + postage.
Click on FEEDBACK in the next column if you are interested.
More news.
At their Christmas Celebration concert on 13th December, Dorking Choral Society said farewell to their Music Director Justin Doyle. Justin was a much loved and respected member of the choir which he had conducted for ten years. The members presented him with HC Robbins Landon’s complete set of books on Haydn. This did not overshadow the other gift of a saucy calendar showing all (well, nearly) of lady members!
Read more here soon about their new conductor, Greg Batsleer
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CLIC Sargent and the CLIC Sargent Symphony Orchestra (CSSO) are in desperate need of your help. They need singers from across London to join them in singing Brahms’ Requiem at a Gala concert for CLIC Sargent on March 20th more
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Where do you find your
professional soloists?
I am approached sometimes by choirs, wishing to find a professional soloist. Similarly, professionals ask me about opportunities. Recently I have had contact with Jill Davies who knows about these things. Recently she was asked to take on singers Concert Directory International so she has a list of sopranos, mezzos, tenors, bass-baritones, counter-tenors to offer. See Davies Music. Jill works frequently with choral societies. Kathryn Woodruff and Quentin Brown (below) are singing in Bach’s St. John Passion in Leeds with St. Peters’ Singers of Leeds on 15th February more
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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".
Find his re-named site at to his web-site at 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!
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Ever had the SMITF experience?
St. Martin’s in the Fields is a magical venue for choral concerts. Bob Porter (Brandenburg sinfonia) is running his Spring Choral Festival there from January to March more
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A regular and reliable contributor is the Orlando Chamber Choir based in London. Most of the members work in or around the City (which makes rehearsals near Paddington very convenient). Quite a few are students or working on a PhD. They are ‘audition only’ but the pic shows that there is more to being in a choir than singing!
See New Events for details of their next concert featuring Tallis and Byrd. Their striking poster is inspired by Escher.
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Has anybody tried Warwick Audio? If you have then you’ll know that they offer concert recording, double audio CD with on-body printing, jewel case, colour insert and pay MCPS fees. All this FREE! What is your experience? See www.warwickaudio.com
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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.
Go to www.mulag.org.uk. Register your interest who will keep you informed.
Two ‘High Note’ MULAG campaigners are Roy and Angela Goodall. They publish the excellent bi-monthly publication “Words and Music”, a valuable survey of the Performing Arts in Surrey, Sussex and Kent. I originally saw this about seven years ago in my local library (as in most) where it is distributed free. It has developed enormously so is worth ordering by post for £8 a year from R.S.C. Sparey, 14 Fox Close, Clapham, Bedford, MK41 6GF 01234 215953
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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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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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Requiem for Jan Palach.
This Requiem, written in July, 2008, was first performed in Luxembourg and is now recorded on CD. Scores are available from the website www.bullockmusic.info.
Read about the music and Jan Palach here
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Liturgical Music Courses. In Exeter, Malvern and Wells. Not heard from them but I should think they’ll be doing similarly in 2010. web-site.
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A new contributor is the Buckland & Betchworth Choral Society. I have known of them for quite a long time but they have just decided to enter the limelight with a new web-site bbcs.org.uk. This should be up and running over the next few days but in the meantime you can read details sent to me by Chris (a lady Chris) Harris. more
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“The Choral Society” a novel by Prue Leith to be published in 2009. She’s not just a foodie! This is about relationships in a choir. Read the STEAMY SYNOPSIS!.
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If you click on FEEDBACK you can send me a message or request without having to e-mail
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!
Calendar & Choirs pages have been revised
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Something new in combinations
For the first time, The Martineau Singers and Martineau Brass performed at St. Mary Magdalene Church in South Holmwood, Dorking. Apart from Rutter, VW they performed something new from composer Alex Campkin (see next column). It was very well received both by the singers and audience. more
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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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Once again, Seaford Choral Society is holding its annual “Almost Instant” event on Good Friday2nd April. Come And Sing Mozart’s Requiem. This is a charity performance which is open to all singers. Rehearsal is in the afternoon with a public performance in the evening. Venue: St Leonard's Church, Church Street Seaford more
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English Music Festival
Thursday 27th May to Monday 31st
The English Music Festival based in Dorchester-on-Thames championing English music, English composers and music from The British Isles.
This will be the first time that the English Music Festival has organised a Choral Workshop, to be directed by their chairman and vice-president, Brian Kay. They we want to attract a large number of singers. Information about the workshop on Monday 31st May in Dorchester Abbey below.
Details of the entire Festival can be found on www.englishmusicfestival.org.uk There are some superb things being performed at the festival, including 4 world premieres!
Dorchester-on-Thames (not to be confused with the other Dorchester) is no more than about 10 miles from Oxfored, Henley-on-Thames and the M40.
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Are you good enough to sing with the English Arts Chorale?
Reigate-based English Arts Chorale has embarked upon a mammoth project to prepare Bach's St Matthew Passion, Walton's Belshazzar's Feast and Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony. These will be performed in two concerts with orchestra in March and July. Experienced singers are invited to two or three rehearsals, after which they will be required to attend an audition including sight-reading. If you think you are up to the tusk, contact their membership secretary on members@englisharts.org
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Something to add to this site?
If you click here you can fill in a form to send to Johann Sebesten Bark, the Webmaster. Or if you would like some midi files sent to you, then click here.
Would you like the opportunity to discus ‘things’ on this site? For example, what do you think about auditioning? A board can be arranged but will it be worth all the work?
Want to know what other choirs are doing in 2010? Conflicting dates are always a worry when deciding when to hold your concerts. Here is a new facility to check what is on when you might be considering a date. See what other choirs are doing, add your own, enter your events. This does not replace the New Events pages which are primarily for your retail customers to see. Either navigate from the Calendar & Choirs drop-down button below Useful Links or go there now.
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More here soon about Good Friday opportunities to sing Mozart’s Requiem in Barkingside and Seaford. In Belmont, Sutton you can sing Fauré.
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Know the name Gareth Malone?
If you do, it is because you have been following his choral programmes on BBC TV. If you don’t, you will have missed out on how he’s made singing Cool to reluctant young men. You’ve also missed out on his creation of the South Oxhey Community Choir and the South Oxhey Youth Choir. More soon. southoxheychoirs.org
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How far is far?. So far, New Orleans
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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Sing Hallelujah was
a nationwide project run by the BBC to encourage people across the UK to find their voices and discover the joy of singing.
Find out the latest at www.bbc.co.uk/sing/
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Singing Season in full swing.
What are you doing about recruitment? Don’t wait until next year.
◊ Capriol Chamber Choir, directed by Graham Dinnage, based near Westerham in Kent is seeking experienced singers to boost their numbers. Capriol has given recitals for mainstream music societies such as the RVW Society. Mardi Brass has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and has appeared on BBC TV and radio. Enquiries to the choir secretary,
Vivienne Cox or ‘phone 01732 866372.
◊ Dorking Choral Society would like more men. They are taking part in the Leith Hill Music Festival (Vaughan Williams’ Benedicite, Gounod messe solennelle, Bach St. John Passion plus). Want to sing? Contact Ges Ray, Chairman
ges.ray@virgin.net
◊ Cantamus Reigate’s conductor Nick Landauer found lots of tenors last year but is always keen to recruit all voices to sing in his ad hoc choirs. Earlier in the year, the better.
◊ City Chorus (aka National Westminster City Chorus) celebrates its big birthday next year (don’t ask a girl how old she is). The organisers are already working hard on the project and if you would like to help with funding, Caroline Weiner would be pleased to her from you! Contact here on citychorus.info
Last winter,the eighty voices of City Chorus were accompanied by Joanna Forbes and the L'Estranges in the Night quartet. Joanna is a former musical director, and Alexander L'Estrange a former bassist/arranger, for the Swingle Singers.
Last year I attended one of Alex’s workshops entitled “You can sing ... But can you Swing?”
It was conducted by Alexander L’Estrange writer of Zimbe! other African and Gospel music. Now this was really something special and a new adventure for choral ‘traditional’ singers. You can buy his score but why not ask him to run a Workshop with your choir? He also does similarly for schools.
See his web-site here. Try it!
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Sarah Moule sang Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle with the  Oxted & Limpsfield Choral Society at their Easter Charity Charity concert on Palm Sunday 28th March. It was very well attended. Some years ago she sang the Poulenc Gloria with them and Nigel McClintock played the organ. Nigel is now Director of Music at Belfast Cathedral.
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Oxted & Limpsfield Music Society has some very good music coming up. Looksee here.
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Incitement to free-lovemaking in Dorking on 4th July
“How much passion and theatre can a choir put into singing 'Kyrie, Kyrie'? Not a lot. So it must have been refreshing for the Dorking Choral Society under their conductor Justin Doyle...“ Read Rupert Street’s report here
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On Sunday 26th July, Over 40 members of the Dorking Choral Society performed Zimbe! at the Ryedale Music Festival. This is a collection of African songs which was commissioned by DCS from composer Alexander L'Estrange.
The choir was joined by over 50 singers who took part in a workshop earlier in the day. In the first part of the concert, Dorking Choral Society sang a collection of African songs, many written by their conductor Justin Doyle. Justin spent time teaching in Kenya where he collected 75 recordings of songs which are an intuitive part of daily life. He said the Kenyan’s never sing flat! The concert was a sell-out. The choir’s faithful accompanist Gavin Roberts, had to rush to catch a train to Ghent where he was giving an organ recital the next day! The composer Alexander L'Estrange also took part in the performance where he played double-bass with his accompanying Jazz group.
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New Requiem for choirs.
Philip Ledger's new Requiem "A thanksgiving for life", was written for performance by choral societies.  Commissioned by William Owen and the Choir of Christ Church, Christiana Hundred, USA, the choir gave World Premiere on 4th November 2007.
English Arts Chorale is rumoured to sing this.
More information about Ledger scores from Encore Publications in Matfield.
Contact Tim Rogers 01892 725548 info@encorepublications.com
www.encorepublications.com
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Leith Hill Musical Festival
The Festival took place from Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th April. It was very well attended both by singers and audience. Here are some early results. More results will be published here when they are received.
The Division 3 winners were as follows.
Full chorus - Epsom CS.
Men’s song - Epsom CS
Women’s song - Epsom CS
Madrigal - Leatherhead CS
Part song - Epsom CS
Own choice - Dorking CS (Holst’s Nunc Dimittis)
Ensemble - Dorking CS (pictured below)
The winning Dorking Ensemble (left to right) comprised Stephanie Wright, James Glaysher, Sue Mahony, Nick Wright, Helena Twentyman, John Berbuto and Sara Friday. The eighth member was Mike Moseling.
Brian Kay (pictured above at rehearsal) said it was the best Bach’s St John Passion ever. Reviewer Simon Ames said
“First performed on Good Friday in 1724 in Leipzig, Bach's exalted music makes big demands on the choral elements of the work. The dramatic force and poignancy of the story comes from the chorus speaking for the populace, soldiers and priests. The composer's contrapuntal score generates the deepest sense of immediacy, cruelty and confusion. The festival choir created all those expressions with strong entries and with a convincing, flowing style.
The gravitas of the performance was augmented by top class deliveries from the six soloists, notably from the experienced tenor Huw Rhys-Evans who narrated as the Evangelist to perfection. Equally convincing was Samuel Evans (bass) whose measured pace as Christus captured the dignity of the sacred story.
Musical instruments of the baroque period are a feature of the Canzona ensemble whose leader Theresa Caudle brings a wealth of experience to this outstanding orchestral sound.
Robin Gritton's role as chorus master had brought the choir to a high technical standard, polished to near perfection by the urbane Brian Kay whose masterly direction from the rostrum captured the power and the glory of Bach's great work in a way that is delightfully unique to this great music festival.”
Find out what’s on next! For more information go to lhmf.co.uk or more
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Langlais Festival 2010. Vacancies in particular for a couple of sopranos. Once again, Brenda Dean is running her BMW (Brittany Music workshop) between 25th - 29th July. Full details on the site. This is incredibly good value because it includes some personal tuition.
Five days of stimulating music including
Holst - Nunc Dimittis)
Widor - Messe in F (opus 36)
Langlais - Messe d'Escalquens and Lauda Jerusalem.
She planning something big for 2011, the 20th anniversary of the death of Jean Langlais. More
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Wingrave Singers (see more below) ran a workshop on 6th March which was funded by the 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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The road from the City of Destruction
to the Celestial City leading to a
Box of Delights.
Dorking Camerata began the year on 6th March with a specially sequence of words and music devised by Aidan Oliver, based on Bunyan's classic morality tale.
Their next concert - Box of Delights - is on Sunday 30th June. I am told that the programme is “The most beautiful and inspiring set of modern items we have ever put together.” See if you agree! It is a picnic concert in the delightful setting of St Barnabas church on Ranmore Common, Dorking, next to Denbies vineyard. more
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Here’s a new choir - well, nearly new.
The UCS Centenary Choir was formed as a direct result of University College School’s centenary celebrations in 2008. (Zingy web-site.)The singers had such a good time that they just kept going! There are about 100 members at present and the only requirement for joining is an ability to sing in tune, hold a part, and most of all, be enthusiastic. Membership is open to all SATB singers. You don’t have to be a pupil, parent or anything like that. They meet at the school in Frognal, Hampstead, North London. Next concert is Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. more
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Concert at St. Margaret the Queen, Buxted Park. Saturday 9th October
Lev Parikian with chorus and orchestra.
See more pics here
The Buxted Event has now run for 15 years. The 2009 concert was a sell out. This was a Voices for Hospices event and over £4,000 was raised for the St. Peter & St. James Hospice, Sussex.
Music for this year is Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Coronation anthem ‘Let thy hand be strengthened’. Hear it on YouTube here. Date is Saturday October 9th with a workshop day on Saturday October 2nd – church, conductor and organist are booked so please put it in your diaries and tell your friends. Tell David Waddington if you’d like to take part. dwaddington@talktalk.net
By request this link is left at the request of singers who want to Learn Brahms’ Requiem - click here
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This item about Robin Milford, composer, was introduced to me by Nick Landauer, Conductor of Cantamus Reigate. Robin grew up in Surrey.
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.
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. Nick is very interested in performing some of Robin's works. I am considering making this a feature on this site, provided there is more than one choir interested in exploring Milford. Please contact me Webmaster if this resonates with you. (See Cantamus Reigate on New Events.)
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Epsom Choral Society performed a work by Robin Milford in their Christmas concert. Click the pic to hear it!
News here soon about Dorking Choral Society’s new conductor. Keep looking!
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Wingrave Singers new Conductor controls 75 at their Workshop
Wingrave Singers conductor, Alexander Campkin, directed a whole day Workshop earlier in March. 75 singers took part. He is a young high-flyer, representative of the new wave of high calibre of musicians. See his web-site www.alexandercampkin.co.uk
Based in Wingrave, near Aylesbury, . Buckinghamshire this friendly mixed voice choir of about 25 singers. They have a wide repertoire of religious and secular music. The choir have a strong background of visiting cathedrals around the country. Their recent concert in Coventry Cathedral was a big success. They sang some of Alex’s work.
This is a robed choir (pictured with Alex in Coventry Cathedral) when singing in cathedrals, church services and weddings. The choir rehearse weekly in term time on a Friday evening in Wingrave Parish Church from 7.45pm to 9.30pm. Interested?
Click Brenda Dean for more information or ‘phone 01296 688976.
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and yet another new MD ...
Shalford Choral Society (near Guildford) has appointed Matthew Jelf as their new Music Director. He conducts on a regular basis in and around London (Sonitus Chamber Choir) and will be starting in September 2009. The choir will be preparing for the Leith Hill Music Festival Competition in April 2010. His first concert with the choir will be to conduct their Christmas Concert.
www.shalfordchoralsociety.org.uk
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Cathedral Season
Arundel Cathedral. In aid of cathedral funds and West Sussex County Youth Orchestra, Arun Choral Society is doing Handel’s Messiah on Sunday 18th April 7.30pm more
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2010 CLIC Sargent Gala Charity Concert, March 20th. CLIC Sargent and the CLIC Sargent Symphony Orchestra (CSSO) are in desperate need of your help. They need singers from across London to join them in singing Brahms’ German Requiem at an amazing Gala concert for CLIC Sargent. More here
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The Robert Bouffler Music Trust
If you’ve heard of The Robert Bouffler Music Trust, you will know that it was established in 1988 to sustain the spirit and objectives of the late Robert Bouffler's work, by encouraging and supporting young musicians from the East Surrey area. Michael Barlow conductor of the Hurst Green Singers (Surrey, not the Sussex) has been appointed their Musical Adviser. I have attended the RBMT concerts and many of the musicians are outstanding.
The Robert Bouffler Music Trust returned to the Oxted United Reformed Church for another concert given by their beneficiaries on Sunday 1st November. Who went?
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