Dear All
Just two rehearsals left before our Sunday concert!… and Neavan remains very happy with how things are going. Just remember his tips for the night (mainly LOOK AT HIIM!!) and we’ll sound great. Holly Lodge is next Thursday – see below for timings / programme.
This week we ran through the (straight forward) Away in a Manger which we’ll be singing with the two schools at Holly Lodge, Cradle Hymn & We Wish you a Merry Christmas.
Cradle Hymn: -sing the words clearly + watch Neavan for the repetition of final phrase in each verse (b24-25, b46-47, 81-82)
We Wish you a Merry Christmas: – really big crescendo b79-80 before last 2 Happy New Years
Concert flyer is ready with huge thanks again to David Corless. Link here and you should have received via WhatsApp.
Ticket Sales for SGC Concert:
Reminder that all choir members are asked to sell minimum 3 tickets for concerts so we can cover costs. £10 per ticket, children under 12 free.
Please make payment by bank transfer to choir bank account (to avoid SumUp costs). Put ’Tickets’ & your name in reference.
Please advise me by email/whatapp when you have purchased tickets and how many. If you can give me receipients’ names all the better!
There is a link on homepage for any non-members wanting to buy tickets.
Link to flyer here
Holly Lodge 4th Dec, Christchurch:
Timings:
18:45 – latest, take seats in choir area
19:00 – concert starts
21:30 – approx. concert ends
Dress:
Women – all black; Men – white shirt, black trousers
SGC songs:
Where Riches is Everlastingly
Cradle Song
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
SGC with schools:
Away in a Manger. Singing arrangement as follows:
Verse 1 – Children only (Sheen Mount and Clarendon)
Verse 2 – SGC hum their 4 part lines while schools sing words
Verse 3 – SGC sing their lines with schools
Children will all be doing Makaton signing at same time as singing. They’d be delighted if anyone in the choir could join in too. Learning video below.
Link to music here.
Link to backing track (to give you an idea of accompaniment) here.
Link to Makaton video here.
SGC with audience – Carols PRINT OR BRING BOOK!:
We’ll be leading the audience in singing 5 carols from the 100 carols for choirs book. Links to printable pdfs are below for those who don’t have the book. Do have a look at your part if not familiar before the concert – would be nice to have the four parts singing if possible.
Once in Royal David’s City page 260 Verses 1,2,5 and 6 (soloist from school)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night Page 378. All 6 verses
O Little Town of Bethlehem page 234 all 4 verses
Ding Dong, Merrily on High page 82 all 3 verses
Hark! The herald angels sing page 107 all 3 verses
Music Order for Summer Concert (4th July 2026):
We will be singing Karl Jenkins The Armed Man for our Summer Concert.
If anyone missed the bulk order scores may be purchased directly. £16.99 (link here)
Choir Social – Tue 16th Dec:
Will be in The Hare and Hounds, East Sheen on Tuesday evening 16th Dec. Booked from 18:30 til late – get there anytime you can. Food may be ordered individually on the night. Thank you to Barbara for organising!
Programme for December Concert:
James MacMillan – O Radiant Dawn
Bob Chilcott – Where Riches is Everlastingly
Ole Gjeilo – The Rose
Bob Chilcott – The Twelve Days of Christmas
Kim Andre Arnesen – Cradle Hymn
Bob Chilcott – We Wish you a Merry Christmas
Brahms – An die Heimat
Benedict Landauer – Stars
Subs:
Subs will remain at £90 this term – payment details below:
£90/term to be paid into choir bank account – please put your name and ’subs’ as reference:
Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir
Account Number: 47107324
Sort: 60-01-39
Working Term Dates:
Autumn 2025:
16 Sep – 9 Dec except 1 week half term 28 Oct
Holly Lodge Concert: Thursday 4th December
Concert Date: Sunday 14th December
Spring 2026:
13 Jan 26 – 24 Mar 26
1 week half-term 17 Feb 26
= 10 weeks
Easter is 5 Apr 26
3 week Easter break (31/3, 7&14/4)
Summer 2026:
21 Apr 26 – 30 Jun 26
1 week half-term 26 May 26
= 10 weeks
Concert Date: 4th July
Autumn 2026:
15 Sep 26 – 8 Dec 26
1 week half-term 27 Oct 26
= 12 weeks
Concert Date: Sun 13 Dec 26?