Dear All
What a great rehearsal on Tuesday with the multitasking maestro Robert! Well done to everyone who made it and huge thank you to Robert (and Lesley for helping out!). The run through was calming and reassuring and just what we needed with the uncertainty over Neavan. I’ve reproduced below Robert’s very helpful tips for all the tricky parts he identified. Skip down to the highlighted sections if you don’t want to read them.
For those who missed the earlier messages, Neavan has been called away on a family emergency. We’ve had no further word from him but Alex Turner from All Saints Putney is on standby to step in on Sunday if necessary. Robert has worked with Alex and I can safely say we’ll be in excellent hands should we end up without Neavan. We’ll know either way by Friday evening and I’ll pass the message on.
Roberts Tips!
Where Riches is Everlastingly
– look out for timing at start of the lah lahs (the bar just before the lah lahs is short!): b22-23,42-43,68-69.
-Upper voices: confidence! b60-64
-don’t stop to question if you’re in the right place – keep going with this one!
The Rose
– note page 1 has 4 beats in the bar. Page 2 onwards 3 (it helps to count time in this one)
-Most melodic phrases start at the end of a bar so look ahead (maybe count!) & be ready for them eg b4 sop, b8 alto, b21 alto etc
-Sops: confidence! b44-56
An die Heimat
-Page turn p29-30: the piano drops out at the very start of p30 at E. Be ready for it and ready to confidently pitch notes. We did it fine on Tuesday (once we’d had that trial run)! Similarly further down the page at F.
-p32 at H: confidence with individual part entries after H particularly tenors, altos and sops.
-p35 at L: depending on who takes us this may be taken a little more slowly than we’ve been used to
Stars
-we have Robert’s seal of approval to sing this unaccompanied: we did it on Tuesday so we can do it on Sunday!
-the regular E flat and B flat notes are a good anchor to keep us going through the piece.
O Radiant Dawn
– Keep looking ahead for this one which will help with not slowing down
– have confidence pitching note right after page turn at b17 at top of p2
– same for high voices b25-26
– same for coda
Cradle Hymn
-as with O Radiant Dawn, keep looking ahead to keep this one moving
-b64 to65, note the bit (slowing down) followed by a tempo (back to speed)
-& one from Neavan: SMILE!
The Twelve Days of Christmas & We Wish you a Merry Christmas
-we’ll run through the final 2 Chilcotts on Sunday. Neavan was very happy with our Merry Christmas at Holly Lodge
SGC Concert, Sun 14 Dec Christchurch:
Timings:
14:30 – set up bar (volunteers would be gratefully welcomed!)
15:00 – set up choir seats (volunteers please!)
15:30 – latest, take seats to start rehearsal
17:00 – end rehearsal
17:15 – bar (& door) opens
18:00 – concert begins
c19:00 – concert ends
Bar will be open after concert! Please bring cash where possible to ease pressure (& fees) on the SumUp machine.
Dress:
Women – all black; Men – white shirt, black trousers, black/dark jacket
Programme Running Order (*denotes unaccompanied):
*Bob Chilcott – Where Riches is Everlastingly
Ole Gjeilo – The Rose
Brahms – An die Heimat
*Benedict Landauer – Stars
*James MacMillan – O Radiant Dawn
Kim Andre Arnesen – Cradle Hymn
Bob Chilcott – The Twelve Days of Christmas
Bob Chilcott – We Wish you a Merry Christmas
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
Andrew and Robert’s Christmas Extravaganza – don’t miss it!
Anyone who went to their last event will know it’s enormous fun!
Join tenor Andrew Bain, accompanied by Robert Bridge, for an evening of opera, musicals and festive favourites. All washed down with delicious Italian food and drink.
Date: Thu 18th Dec
Time: 19:30
Venue: Mamma Mia Restaurant, 459 Upper Richmond Rd West, London SW14 7PR
Booking: Call 020 8876 6521 / 020 8878 6725 or drop in to reserve a table
Link to flyer here
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:
Date: Tue 16th Dec
Time: 18:30- late
Venue: Hare & Hound East Sheen
We’ll be in the snug immediately on left hand as you enter – food and drink may be ordered from our dedicated bartender (!) on the night. Thank you to Barbara for organising!
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?
