Author: Siobhan Jones

Dear All

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and you’re all looking forward to getting back to singing next week. 

I think we were all delighted with how our concert went in December. There were many warm messages from guests complimenting us on the standard of singing and passing on how happy they were to see us continue to thrive under our fantastic, new director, Penny. Thank you, Penny for taking us through the difficult events at the start of last term and giving us a real spring in our step as we return this new year. 

First rehearsal back will be next Tuesday 7^th Jan 19:45-21:30 at Christ Church. We’ll be launching straight into Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony (with Robert back at the piano!) in preparation for our concert with Lambeth Orchestra on Sat February 8^th .

Focus will be opening section p10 – 20, as well as from figure M on p29 to the end of p39. (see below for practice track)

Please bring: 

• Beethoven 9^th Scores
• Newly ordered Brahms Requiem scores -those who received them- which we will collect and replace with German scores as per earlier message

Practice Track Beethoven’s 9^th:

Link to Practice Track Beethoven 9th

Link to purchase Beethoven 9th score

Ben’s Memorial – Monday 20^th Jan 3pm:

We’ve received the following message about arrangements for Ben’s memorial: 

A memorial mass, organised by some of Ben’s close friends, will take place on Monday 20th January at 3pm at St George’s RC Cathedral, Southwark, SE1 7HY. 

All are welcome.

This will be followed by much merriment, and we hope it’ll be an opportunity for Ben’s many friends and colleagues to come together, share stories and remember him.

Please save the date for now, and you may wish to cancel work the next morning!

Further details to follow.

Recall of Brahms Requiem Scores!

Message for all those who ordered and received the Brahms Requiem for next year. I ordered the wrong edition sorry!

Please could all those who received a copy keep it in mint condition with no markings and bring it back at the start of next term when we will swap them for the German version. 

Subs: 

£90/term to be paid into choir bank account:

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort: 60-01-39

Calendar: 

Spring Term:

7Jan-1April except 1 week half term 18 Feb, 12 weeks

• Sat 8^th Feb LVB9 Lambeth Orchestra 

Two week Easter break (not the usual 3 weeks) 8/4 & 15/4.

Summer Term:

22 Apr-10 Jun except 1 week half term 27 May, 7 weeks

• 7^th Jun Summer Concert, Brahms Requiem & RB performance (Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue)

Dear All 

Message for all those who ordered and received the Brahms Requiem for next year. I have just learned I ordered the wrong edition – it only has English words, no German!! Thank you, Jules, for spotting. 

Please could all those who received a copy keep it in mint condition with no markings and bring it back at the start of next term when we will swap them for the German version. 

Thank you!

Siobhan

Dear All 

What a marvellous performance last night! Congratulations everyone.  Penny was delighted and ‘genuinely blown away’ by our singing – especially Vast Eternal Sky. There couldn’t be a better way to thank her for taking us on as she did, without a moment’s hesitation and with such energy from the start. I think we did both Penny and Ben proud last night.

One housekeeping message – a reminder to those members who promised to pay to the choir account for drinks at the bar last night when the SumUp device went down. Thank you in advance!

A Very Merry Christmas to you all  and see you on Tuesady 7^th Jan 2025 for more singing!

If you haven’t already paid for concert tickets in advance and plan to do so, then please pay directly to choir bank account rather than through Sum-Up to avoid Sum-Up fees! Put name and tickets in reference.

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort Code: 60-01-39

Thank you

Dear All

Well done to everyone for an excellent last run through ahead of our concert this Sunday. Everyone’s efforts are clearly paying off. Don’t be afraid to sing out on Sunday and it will sound great!

Timings & ticket sale details for Sunday’s concert are below. 

No rehearsal next week but there will be CURRY – 17^th Dec, 19:15, Annapura East Sheen (see below). With thanks to our Social Secretary extraordinaire, Barbara.

First rehearsal back will be Tuesday 7^th Jan – bring Beethoven’s 9^th!

One other thing: we have learned that dear Ben’s funeral will take place tomorrow 14^th December at 12:30 in Cambridge. It will be for family, with close friends welcome to attend. There will be a large Memorial Mass at St George’s Cathedral in January. As soon as we learn more details of the Memorial service we will pass them on.

On this subject, some of you may have noticed there is a new page on the choir website dedicated to the memory of Ben Thapa. It can be found under the ‘About Us’ tab and is labelled ‘Ben Thapa’. This beautiful tribute was put together by Simon Renton with the help of David Corless and other contributors from the choir. Thanks also to David Howell for sorting out the recording of Ben’s performance with Robert at our Come and Sing. Everyone is welcome to add their thoughts to the page should they wish to – just message me and we’ll add any contributions. Please do take a look – it’s a moving read, especially when you’ve been practising Vast Eternal Sky, which, as Penny said, feels almost as though Ben is sending us a message.

Merry Christmas and Happy Singing.

SGC Concert Sun 15th Dec, Christ Church:

Dress Code:

All black

Timings:

• 3:30                      set up
• 4-5pm              rehearsal 
• 5:15               bar opens       
• 6pm                  concert begins

Music (running order):

Once in Royal

Ecce Novum

Silent Night

Seeing the Star

Good King Wenceslas

Across the Vast Eternal Sky

O Come All Ye Faithful

Gloria

Tickets:

Tickets are £12 (U12s free) and can be purchased via link on website here or via QR code on flyer here or on door. 

Draft Programme for December Concert:

Link to draft programme here

Choir Curry:

Date:    Tuesday 17^th Dec ‘24

Time:    19:15

Venue: Annapura East Sheen

£30 per head plus booze (various starters, mains of chicken/lamb/veggie, rice naan. Basically, as much food as we can eat!)

Scores for next year:

If you missed the bulk order you can order directly using links below.

Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, Barenreiter edition 

Brahms Requiem, Novello edition 

Calendar for 2025:

Lambeth Concert – Sat 8^th Feb ‘25

SGC Jun Concert – Sat 7^th Jun ‘25

New term starts – Tue 7^th Jan ‘25

See Calendar tab for fill list of rehearsal and concert dates to June 2025

Dear All

Great effort yesterday running through our Holly Lodge pieces which were sounding beautiful by the end! Sing like that and it will be fab!

Timings & other details for Holly Lodge are below. 

Next week will be our last rehearsal before our concert on 15^th Dec and we’ll run through the whole programme. See below for timings for 15/12.

Holly Lodge Concert Thurs 5^th Dec, Christ Church:

Dress Code:

Christmas jumper/fun top, black bottoms

Timings:

• 7pm   arrive at Christ Church for warm up which will take place in choir stalls NOT side room (NB microphone check will be taking place from 6:45-7 so arrive quietly!). We won’t have much time to sort ourselves out so get there promptly.
• 7:25    seated in choir stalls ready for concert
• 7:30    concert begins

Music (running order):

*denotes audience carol

• *Once in Royal                              100 Carols White Book, Vs 1 SOLO, Vs 6 descant, 
• 12 Days of Christmas     SGC sing with 2 schools
• *Silent Night                                   version found on repertoire page
• *The First Nowell                         100 Carols, Vs 1,2,3,5,6 
• Seeing the Star
• Ecce Novum          
• *Good King Wenceslas            100 Carols
• *O Come All Ye Faithful           100 Carols, line 1 last verse change ‘this’ to ‘that’, Vs6 descant

Where we sit/stand:

We’ll be seated in the choir stalls.

All audience carols are sung from choir stalls.

12 days: we will move from stalls to stand at back of altar stage behind children. Exactly where will be advised during warm up.

Seeing the Star and Ecce Novum: these are sung straight after interval so we will take position on stage at start of second half then move back to stalls for remainder of concert. 

SGC Concert Sat 15th Dec, Christ Church:

Dress Code:

All black

Timings:

• 4-5pm              rehearsal 
• 5:15               bar opens        
• 6pm                  concert begins

Music (running order):

Once in Royal

Ecce Novum

Silent Night

Seeing the Star

Good King Wenceslas

Across the Vast Eternal Sky

O Come All Ye Faithful

Gloria

Revised Flyer for 15/12 Concert:

Link to flyer showing Penny’s full name is here. Tickets will be £12 on the door or via the QR code on flyer, U12s free. We’ll send the flyer to section WhatsApp groups as well. Please distribute widely!

Thank you again to David Corless for producing the flyer. 

Draft Programme 15/12 Concert:

Link to draft programme here

Thank you to Simon Renton for producing the programme for our concert.

Scores for next year – re-ordering the Brahms:

If you missed the bulk order you can order directly using links below.

Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, Barenreiter edition 

Brahms Requiem, – we ordered the wrong edition! We need to return the new Brahms and re-order German edition!! Details to follow

Choir Curry:

Date:    Tuesday 17^th Dec ‘24

Time:    evening

Venue: Sheen

Calendar for year

SGC Dec Concert – Sun 15^th Dec ‘24

Lambeth Concert – Sat 8^th Feb ‘25

SGC Jun Concert – Sat 7^th Jun ‘25

New term starts – Tue 7^th Jan ‘25

See Calendar tab for fill list of rehearsal and concert dates to June 2025

Dear All

Really good rehearsal with Penny last week with the whole choir making a great sound – well done everyone!

At this week’s rehearsal on 3rd Dec we will be looking at the carols for the Holly Lodge concert this Thursday (5/12) plus the pieces for our concert on 15th Dec. As well as concert music, please bring copies of carols all of which can be found on repertoire page and below. Most can also be found in the white 100 carols book as indicated.

We will be singing some of these carols at our concert as well (see below for draft programme showing which carols and verses)

 Rehearsal Schedule SGC Autumn Term

See below for amended concert flyer for circulation.

See you Tuesday!

Revised Flyer for our December Concert:

Link to flyer showing Penny’s full name is here. Tickets will be £12 on the door or via the QR code on flyer, U12s free. We’ll send the flyer to section WhatsApp groups as well. Please distribute widely!

Thank you again to David Corless for producing the flyer. 

Draft Programme for December Concert:

Link to draft programme here

Thank you to Simon Renton for producing the programme for our concert.

Carols for Holly Lodge:

Scanned copies of all carols may be found on repertoire page and are linked below. 

Twelve Days of Christmas   – Sheen Mount arrangement, link here

Silent Night                                   – NOT the 100 carols version,  link here

Once in Royal David’s City – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

The First Nowell                         – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

Good King Wenceslas            – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

O Come All Ye Faithful           – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

Scores for next year:

If you missed the bulk order you can order directly using links below.

Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, Barenreiter edition 

Brahms Requiem, Novello edition 

Choir Curry:

Please could you let Barbara Brown know availability by emailing barbarabrown5@virginmedia.com

Date:    Tuesday 17^th Dec ‘24

Time:    evening

Venue: Sheen

 Signing Language for Twelve Days of Christmas

Here is a linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txV8NLvfhKU to a video produced by Clarendon teacher Claire O’Neil showing us how to sign the Twelve Days of Christmas. It would be great if we could manage even a bit of it to join in with the children.

Calendar for year

SGC Dec Concert – Sun 15^th Dec ‘24

Lambeth Concert – Sat 8^th Feb ‘25

SGC Jun Concert – Sat 7^th Jun ‘25

See Calendar tab for fill list of rehearsal and concert dates to June 2025

Subs:

 £90/term to be paid into choir bank account:

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort: 60-01-39

Repertoire list

 For list of repertoire see Autumn 2024 Repertoire page under Music & Media Library.

Dear All

Despite enjoying the very entertaining rehearsal last week with Ed Bonner, we missed Penny and I’m delighted to say she’ll be back with us tomorrow evening!

As well as pieces for our concert, please bring carols (see repertoire page for list) in case we have time to run through. Penny will also be running the auditions at the end of our rehearsal. 

 Rehearsal Schedule SGC Autumn Term

Flyer for our December Concert:

Huge thanks again to David Corless for producing another beautiful flyer for the choir. 

Link to flyer is here. Tickets will be £12 on the door or via the QR code on flyer, U12s free. We’ll send the flyer to section WhatsApp groups as well. Please distribute widely!

Carols for Holly Lodge:

Scanned copies of all carols may be found on repertoire page and are linked below. 

Twelve Days of Christmas   – Sheen Mount arrangement, link here

Silent Night                                   – NOT the 100 carols version,  link here

Once in Royal David’s City – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

The First Nowell                         – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

Good King Wenceslas            – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

O Come All Ye Faithful           – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

Scores for next year:

If you missed the bulk order you can order directly using links below.

Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, Barenreiter edition 

Brahms Requiem, Novello edition 

Choir Curry:

Please could you let Barbara Brown know availability by emailing barbarabrown5@virginmedia.com

Date:    Tuesday 17^th Dec ‘24

Time:    evening

Venue: Sheen

 Signing Language for Twelve Days of Christmas

Here is a linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txV8NLvfhKU to a video produced by Clarendon teacher Claire O’Neil showing us how to sign the Twelve Days of Christmas. It would be great if we could manage even a bit of it to join in with the children.

Calendar for year

SGC Dec Concert – Sun 15^th Dec ‘24

Lambeth Concert – Sat 8^th Feb ‘25

SGC Jun Concert – Sat 7^th Jun ‘25

See Calendar tab for fill list of rehearsal and concert dates to June 2025

Subs:

 £90/term to be paid into choir bank account:

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort: 60-01-39

Repertoire list

 For list of repertoire see Autumn 2024 Repertoire page under Music & Media Library.

Dear All

What a great first rehearsal back last week! Well prepared and sounding really good.  Penny was very impressed, especially after the two week break.

Check Penny’s rehearsal schedule for this week’s music (remember it’s a live document so may change from week to week. Rehearsal Schedule SGC Autumn Term

Please also bring carol scores from now (listed below) on as Penny will run through them at some point.

Vivaldi Gloria – soloists:

Don’t forget to let Penny know if you’d like to sing a solo – thank you to those who have got in touch already. 

At least one soprano and one alto (although there is scope to have different soloists for each solo/duet movement).

If you would be interested, please email sheengatechoir@gmail.com to make yourself known (if you have a preference for a particular solo movement, do let us know that as well).

Should we have more volunteers than solo movements, we will have auditions on 19th November.

Carols for Holly Lodge:

Scanned copies of all carols may be found on repertoire page and are linked below. 

Twelve Days of Christmas   – Sheen Mount arrangement, link here

Silent Night                                   – NOT the 100 carols version,  link here

Once in Royal David’s City – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

The First Nowell                         – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

Good King Wenceslas            – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

O Come All Ye Faithful           – 100 Carols, white book version,  link here

Scores for next year:

If you missed the bulk order you can order directly using links below.

Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, Barenreiter edition 

Brahms Requiem, Novello edition 

Beethoven, 8^th Feb ’25  Availability:

If you haven’t done so already, please advise your availability by messaging your section Whatsapp group.

Date:   Saturday, 8 February 2025

Time:   19:30 – 20:30

Venue: St John The Divine, 92 Vassall Road, London SW9 6JA

Choir Curry:

Please could you let Barbara Brown know availability by emailing barbarabrown5@virginmedia.com

Date:    Tuesday 17^th Dec ‘24

Time:    evening

Venue: Sheen

 Signing Language for Twelve Days of Christmas

Here is a linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txV8NLvfhKU to a video produced by Clarendon teacher Claire O’Neil showing us how to sign the Twelve Days of Christmas. It would be great if we could manage even a bit of it to join in with the children.

Calendar for year

SGC Dec Concert – Sun 15^th Dec ‘24

Lambeth Concert – Sat 8^th Feb ‘25

SGC Jun Concert – Sat 7^th Jun ‘25

See Calendar tab for fill list of rehearsal and concert dates to June 2025

Subs:

 £90/term to be paid into choir bank account:

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort: 60-01-39

Repertoire list

 For list of repertoire see Autumn 2024 Repertoire page under Music & Media Library.

Dear All

I hope you enjoyed your half term and are looking forward to getting back to singing tomorrow, 5th Nov.

Check Penny’s rehearsal schedule for the music we’ll be covering. In addition, please bring the 100 Carols White Book if you have it & print off copies of the Twelve Days of Christmas & Silent Night arrangements that we’ll be singing at the Holly Lodge concert.  

Don’t forget to let Agnes know by close on 5/11 whether you’d like to order scores for the two concerts next year (details below) agnescorless@btinternet.com

Scores Bulk Order:

We will be placing a bulk order for the Beethoven 9^th  & Brahms Requiem scores. Big thank you to Agnes who is organising this.

Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, Barenreiter edition 

Brahms Requiem, Novello edition 

To be included on the bulk order please email Agnes Corless on agnescorless@btinternet.com by Tues 5^thNovember . Please specify which scores you would like to order.

Many people will already have the Brahms score from a previous performance so do check before ordering!

Beethoven, 8^th Feb ’25  Availability:

Our first concert next year will be a performance of Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony on Sat Feb 8^th  (details below). There’ll now be another visiting choir (from Bexley) as well as us joining the choir of St John the Divine, Kennington at their home church and accompanied by Lambeth Orchestra. Peter Welwyn, the director, has also invited some of Ben’s singing friends to join;  Ben was due to be singing the solo. The date was fixed by Lambeth, but we hope most of the choir can make it. Please could you advise your availability by messaging your section Whatsapp group.

1. Date: Saturday, 8 February 2025
2. Time: 19:30  20:30
3. Venue: St John The Divine 92 Vassall Road, London SW9 6JA

Choir Curry:

Barbara has marvellously agreed to organise our Choir Christmas Curry this year – hurray!! It will be at an excellent curry house (tbc) in Sheen. We are going to go for Tuesday 17^th in the hope that most people will be able to make that day (as they won’t have realised we finished term the week before…).

Please could you let Barbara Brown know availability by emailing barbarabrown5@virginmedia.com

Date:    Tuesday 17^th Dec ‘24

Time:    evening

Venue: Sheen

Signing Language for Twelve Days of Christmas

Here is a linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txV8NLvfhKU to a video produced by Clarendon teacher Claire O’Neill showing us how to sign the Twelve Days of Christmas. It would be great if we could manage even a bit of it to join in with the children.

Calendar for year

SGC Dec Concert – Sun 15^th Dec ‘24

Lambeth Concert – Sat 8^th Feb ‘25

SGC Jun Concert – Sat 7^th Jun ‘25

See Calendar tab for fill list of rehearsal and concert dates to June 2025

Subs:

 £90/term to be paid into choir bank account:

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort: 60-01-39

Repertoire list

For list of repertoire see Autumn 2024 Repertoire page under Music & Media Library.