Category: Choir Updates

Dear All 

Very well done to everyone for all the work you’ve put into learning Beethoven’s 9th which, even the most experienced musicians among us have said, is a particularly difficult piece. 

To help with the performance on Saturday Penny has marked up the Beethoven showing beat lines. Link to marked up music here.

We’ll be starting on Brahms Requiem next Tuesday 11/2 (hooray!) which is going to seem a doddle after the Beethoven – honest! If anyone needs to purchase a copy, link to correct score is here. Practice tracks may be found here and on repertoire page.

Here is link to the rehearsal schedule for the Brahms. 

For anyone interested, BARTS are holding a Brahms Requiem Come & Sing event in Holborn on 22/2. Details here.

Looking forward to seeing some of you on Saturday and everyone on Tuesday!

Sat 8/2 Concert Details:

Venue: 

St John The Divine, 92 Vassall Road SW9 6JA

Timings:  

-12:30-1:30,  choir & piano rehearsal  

-1:30-2:30 break

-2:30-3:30,  choir & orchestra rehearsal

-3:30-7:30, break

-7:30,  concert start (25 mins +20 min interval)

-8:15,  concert second half Beethoven’s 9th

-9:30, expected finish

Seating/Standing:

There will be limited seating for choir, most will stand. We will be on stage for second half only. Positions will be sorted at rehearsal. Please let Siobhan Jones know if you require a seat. Peter (conductor) expects some of Ben’s friends to come just for the performance. I’m sure that will also be fine for those of you who can’t make the earlier than expected rehearsal time – just let your section know so they can reserve you a space!

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 (NO half term break), 13 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)

Singing Lessons with Marta:

Marta Garcia-Ortiz whom many of you know from when she sang with SGC, is offering private singing lessons locally (Mortlake) at her home. Marta, originally from Spain, is an accomplished musician (teacher, cellist, conductor and singer). For anyone interested in finding out more please don’t hesitate to get in touch with her either by WhatsApp   07511 103 484 or email  garciaortizmarta@gmail.com

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Dear All

Quick recap on our Beethoven 9th prep – two more rehearsals to go before our performance on Feb 8th with Lambeth Orchestra!

Last week we reviewed:

•  Zauber p10 -15 (b237-293) and 

• Seid p34-37 (b595-626). 

•  Küsse p18-20 (b313-330) and

•  Freude p29-33 (b543-590). 

We also worked on 

• Ihr p37-39 b627-654
• Ihr2 p52-55 b730-762
• Laufet p23-25 b411-431 (lower voices)

Link for rehearsal schedule for the run up to Beethoven 9th concert here

Reminder to everyone to pay subs!

We plan to hold an additonal rehearsal on Tuesday 18th Feb for all those not away for school half term.

Subs: 

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

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort: 60-01-39

Lambeth Orchestra Beethoven 9th Flyer:

Link to concert flyer here

Singing Lessons with Marta:

Marta Garcia-Ortiz whom many of you know from when she sang with SGC, is offering private singing lessons locally (Mortlake) at her home. Marta, originally from Spain, is an accomplished musician (teacher, cellist, conductor and singer). For anyone interested in finding out more please don’t hesitate to get in touch with her either by WhatsApp   07511 103 484 or email  garciaortizmarta@gmail.com

Calendar: 

Spring Term:

7Jan-1April (NO half term break), 13 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)

(edit)

Dear All

Last week we re-capped:

•  Zauber p10 -15 (b237-293) and 

• Seid p34-37 (b595-626). 

We also did some thorough work on:

•  Küsse p18-20 (b313-330) and

•  Freude p29-33 (b543-590). 

Link for rehearsal schedule for the run up to Beethoven 9th concert here & on repertoire page

Here is link to flyer for the Beethoven concert on 8th Feb.

See you Tuesday (or Monday for those attending Ben’s memorial.

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

Memorial Arrangements:

Date:   Monday 20th January 

Time:    3pm

Venue: St George’s RC Cathedral, Lambeth Road (Main entrance), Southwark, SE1 6HR. 

All are welcome. Closest tubes Lambeth North and Elephant & Castle. No parking on site, 

Following the service all are invited to a reception at The Duchy Arms, 63 Sancroft Street, SE11 5UG. This is a 20 minute walk from the Cathedral, or a short ride on the 360/59/159 bus. The closest underground station is Kennington.

The dress code is colourful, vibrant and garish, and strong-smelling perfumes are especially welcome.

Music at the service will be led by the Cathedral Choir, but musician friends/colleagues of Ben are warmly invited to join the choir for this Mass. If you wish to do so, please fill out the following form to sign up: https://forms.gle/eQvo7o5ECdR9b43y5 Music can be sent in advance if required. Rehearsal in the church at 2pm, service at 3pm ending around 4.15pm.

Singing Lessons with Marta:

Marta Garcia-Ortiz whom many of you know from when she sang with SGC, is offering private singing lessons locally (Mortlake) at her home. Marta, originally from Spain, is an accomplished musician (teacher, cellist, conductor and singer). For anyone interested in finding out more please don’t hesitate to get in touch with her either by WhatsApp   07511 103 484 or email  garciaortizmarta@gmail.com

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 (NO half term break), 13 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)

(edit)

Dear All

It was a great first rehearsal back last Tuesday. We worked on Beethoven’s 9^th from Fig D p12 -15 and p34-37 and were sounding really good when we put all the parts together. We will continue to work on Beethoven’s 9^th next week. Practice track may be found on repertoire page and here.

Note on Ben’s memorial, being held on 20^th Jan: there is an open invitation for anyone would like to join the choir for the service (likely to best suit competent sight readers). See below for more information and a sign-up form. The organisers have asked people to let them know if they are planning to attend so they can manage numbers. Please could you let your section know if you are planning to attend and/or sing in the choir and we will inform the organisers of SGC numbers to save them having to deal with multiple messages.

Many of you will remember Marta Garcia-Ortiz who sang with us for a while and whose Spanish choir sang with us in 2023. You may also know she is a singing teacher offering singing lessons locally (I take lessons with her and they’re great fun!). Please see below if you would like to learn more.

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

Memorial Arrangements:

Date:   Monday 20th January 

Time:    3pm

Venue: St George’s RC Cathedral, Lambeth Road (Main entrance), Southwark, SE1 6HR. 

All are welcome. Closest tubes Lambeth North and Elephant & Castle. No parking on site, 

Following the service all are invited to a reception at The Duchy Arms, 63 Sancroft Street, SE11 5UG. This is a 20 minute walk from the Cathedral, or a short ride on the 360/59/159 bus. The closest underground station is Kennington.

The dress code is colourful, vibrant and garish, and strong-smelling perfumes are especially welcome.

Music at the service will be led by the Cathedral Choir, but musician friends/colleagues of Ben are warmly invited to join the choir for this Mass. If you wish to do so, please fill out the following form to sign up: https://forms.gle/eQvo7o5ECdR9b43y5 Music can be sent in advance if required. Rehearsal in the church at 2pm, service at 3pm ending around 4.15pm.

Singing Lessons with Marta:

Marta Garcia-Ortiz whom many of you know from when she sang with SGC, is offering private singing lessons locally (Mortlake) at her home. Marta, originally from Spain, is an accomplished musician (teacher, cellist, conductor and singer). For anyone interested in finding out more please don’t hesitate to get in touch with her either by WhatsApp   07511 103 484 or email  garciaortizmarta@gmail.com

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

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