Author: Siobhan Jones

Hi all, better late than never I have made practice files for the RVW Te Deum. At this point they will be useful for tidying up and making sure we have our notes right rather than learning, but worth having. Sorry it is so delayed.

The Youtube link is https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG-EA0a7_w2mk19vd9ZQjxnk2gEJNyUB-

Don’t forget that you can control the playback speed on Youtube via the settings cog. Worth using for this because the recording is at the scored tempo which rattles along.

Please don’t forget to subscribe to the channel if you have not already done so, thanks!

Dear All 

Reminder – no choir on Tuesday 10^th May. Next rehearsal, Tuesday 17^th May.

Also, please see message below from former choir member Marcia Kelson who is looking for a keyboard player to accompany the cast of one of her plays being performed at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith!

If anyone is interested or knows someone who might be, please let me know and I’ll put you in touch with Marcia.

WANTED: Performer keyboard- player who can improvise with a small cast to  produce some incidental music to perform live for a one hour play. 3- 4 rehearsals in june/early july,  performances at Riverside Studios Hammersmith 12-16 July. (Tech afternoon 12th july 13.00-17.00, performances 12-16 july, evenings). Music mainly needed for intro,  in short bursts up to a couple of minutes at each change of  scene and for end of play. Types of music include french country music (the type often played on an accordion), Egyptian gods music (think Indiana Jones), music to accompany a medieval troop of  actors! Profit share production so beer money, not paid.

Please see below message from Robert:

If you happen to be free this evening this is a last-minute call for a concert at All Saints’ Putney starting at 7.30pm. Organised by their Director or Music, Alex Turner, this is the first of three annual concerts that lead up to a 150th celebration for All Saints. Tonight’s programme includes the glorious Duruflé Requiem and a chance to hear the Vaughan Williams Five Mystical Songs in their entirety – the last of which is the Antiphon which you are singing at the moment – in a version for soloist, choir, piano and string quintet. Why I am named as a soloist is beyond me: I have a fairly minor role!
Should be a lovely way to spend a sunny evening and if you get in quick you might still be able to bag a ticket at the advance price.
Robert

Dear All 

SGC has been contacted by Steve Banks, composer of a new choral work which will be premiered in London on 14^th May. Details of the performance and the new work are below. Steve has said he may be able to offer the choir a guest ticket or two, so if you would like to attend please let me know and I’ll put you in touch with him. 

Steve’s message:

“I’ve composed a ground-breaking, inspirational new sacred choral work, ‘Blue Pearl: A One World Oratorio’. There is a demo recording at my website www.stevebanks.info and also a PDF of the vocal score. 

The world premiere is going to be at St Giles Cripplegate, London on 14th May, with the London Mozart Players, Excelsis and Vox Farnham Chamber Choirs, Angela Hicks (soprano), Luthien Brackett (mezzo-soprano), David de Winter (tenor) and Geoff Williams (bass), conducted by Rob Lewis. 

Blue Pearl conveys a *human* spirituality – a contemporary synthesis of the ancient spiritual traditions of the East with the modern psychology and science of the West. It is a radical new work; fresh and original, yet rooted in the western sacred choral tradition. The music is harmonic, tuneful, and moving; very accessible. 

Rob Lewis, Musical Director of Excelsis and Vox Farnham Chamber Choirs say: “Steve has used different styles of music to great effect to evoke the whole range of our shared human experience: from joy, humour and sexuality to the opening of our hearts in compassion, to the spiritual mystery we encounter in stillness and silence. ‘Blue Pearl’ is a wonderful and moving celebration of our shared humanity.” 

Dear All

I hope you had a lovely Easter.

Choir resumes next Tuesday 26^th April. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Robert will be taking things a little easier this term after some unexpected health issues over Easter but hopes to be back to play for the choir in September. I know I speak for all of us in wishing Robert a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him soon.

David Terry who covered for Robert at the end of last term will be stepping in to cover the run up to the June concert.

I am happy to pass on the news that Lesley is out of hospital and recuperating at home after her emergency appendectomy. But altos, don’t expect her back for a few weeks.

She asked me to pass on the advice that you ignore NHS-111 and your GP if you have acute abdominal pain. Just go straight to A&E!

Lesley, we wish you a pleasant recuperation and a speedy return to health and singing.

Dear All

Our concert will be held on Saturday 18^th June which the marginally better date for members. Apologies to anyone who can’t make that date.

We’ve added on an extra two rehearsal dates to this term so our last rehearsal will be on 5^th April.

There’ll be a two week Easter break covering  12^th & 19^th April

Summer term will run from 26^th  April – 14^th June with a week’s break covering 10^th May

I will have a box of music with me tonight and the names I have as having told me that they would like a copy are:
Barbara
Jane
Caroline
Marilyn
Alison
Anna
Siobhan
Roger
Sue

£5 each please!

Chris

Hi folks – based on a show of hands at the rehearsal last night, it seems that we have enough people to make an order of 10 or more copies of the Faure Requiem. I am happy to do so, but maybe those who need a copy could shoot me an email so I can order the right quantity please! Cost is a little under a fiver.

And if anyone needs any other sheet music ordering, I am happy to add it to the order and save you the shipping cost and effort!

Chris

email: chris.hawkins2015@yahoo.com

Dear All

We are going to make a bulk order for the chosen Vivaldi Score (link to the one we are going to use is copied below) to take advantage of discount.

If you would like to place an order through SGC then please email me directly on jonezfamily658@virginmedia.com or let me know next Tuesday 11^th. Order will be placed after Tuesday’s rehearsal so it arrives in time for the following week.

Dave will delay starting work on the Vivaldi & begin with pieces listed in the earlier message instead.

Link to Vivaldi edition: