Author: Siobhan Jones

Dear All I am so very sorry to pass on the devasting news that our wonderful Music Director Ben Thapa died today. We understood he was on the mend while being treated in hospital but clearly this was not the case. I know this will come as an awful shock to everyone.  Ben said to me many times that he…… Read more →

Dear All We will be delaying the first rehearsal back by a week, so will re-start on Tues 17th Sep rather than next week. I’m sorry to say Ben has been unwell & is in hospital at the moment but he’s on the mend which is great news. Sending you best wishes from us all for a speedy recovery Ben!…… Read more →

Dear All It was lovely to see many of you at the choir party last week. A huge thank you to everyone for my champagne!! I was very touched to receive it and feel most undeserving as organising the choir is very much a team effort (though got to admit the team weren’t seeing  any of it….) Music Order: thank you…… Read more →

Dear All There was no letting up at our last rehearsal of term! We ran through the first movement of Vivaldi’s Gloria and had a first look at Gjeilo’s, The Rose. See at end of notices below, (very welcome!) practice tracks for The Rose – links below and on repertoire page. Here are some of Ben’s notes: For everything: keep…… Read more →

Don’t miss Robert’s next knitting concert! For those who are not familiar with Robert’s concerts they are a wonderful opportunity to hear Robert perform an always beautiful choice of piano music in a lovely church on a green in Putney. Attendees are welcome to bring something to do (preferably silently!) while listening – hence “Knitting Concerts”. Poster here Sunday 30th…… Read more →

Piano Recital – Maria Levandovskaya, Sat 29th June We are grateful to Maria Levandovskaya who stepped in at the last minute yesterday to cover for Robert’s cover(!) at our rehearsal. She played beautifully so we were delighted when she told us she happens to be performing in concert in Barnes this Saturday 29th June. Details of the event are below and flyer…… Read more →

Dear All One-off change of venue for 25/6:  Tuesday’s rehearsal (25/6) will take place at St Michael’s Church in Barnes, address: 39 Elm Bank Gardens, Barnes SW13 0NX https://stmichaelbarnes.org/contact-us/ . Same time as usual 19:45-21:30 St Mary’s unfortunately double booked us with an election hustings event leaving us little alternative but to move.  None of our previous venues were available hence the choice of St…… Read more →

Dear All What an enjoyable and positive rehearsal with Penny on Tuesday!  The only bit we stumbled on was the ‘Ne ab-sor-be-at….’ in Domine Jesu p47-48, bar 21-32. So, if you get chance have a look at that ahead of Saturday.  And, after Penny’s exclamation (mid-conducting!) in the Lux Aeterna keep singing through the ‘et lux per-pe-tu-a…’ phrase p79 bar79(33)…… Read more →

Dear All We had a thorough work through of the three opera choruses with Penny on Tuesday as well as looking at Osana from the Sanctus. Points to take away: Magic Flute – COME IN EARLY! at the start of of each phrase  Che del Ciel – place clear emphasis on the ‘Cu-sto-di-sca-no Co-si’s’ Placido è il mar – smooth/even…… Read more →

Dear All We had an excellent run through of the whole Requiem on Tuesday. Ben is very pleased with how it’s going!  And here are his specific notes to work on (three weeks and two remaining rehearsals before the concert!). I’m still searching for a version of Placido with more legible Italian. As soon as I find it, it’ll be…… Read more →