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Dear All

We made good progress on Tuesday working on Tito’s Che del ciel, a first look at the start of the Hostias up to bar 55 (start of Quam olim Abrahae), Agnus Dei and a run through the Kyrie.

Hopefully, everyone is now clear on the pronunciation of the Italian in the Tito chorus. The Kyrie was sounding really good; remember Ben’s tip, now that we are more familiar with the semi-quaver runs of the Christe eleison, to sing freely and with confidence even if it’s at the dispense of missing the occasional note (& “you’re thinking but I’m singing fiction”!).

Next week we will work on:

• Tito’s Che de Ciel (Ben found a clearer version HERE, also on repertoire page)
• the second part of the Hostias from bar 55 (start of Quam olim Abrahae) 
• Lux Aeterna (the last movement of the Requiem). 

Note it is very worthwhile listening to the practice tracks for the Quam olim Abrahae bit of the Hostias as it is a tricky piece at first glance (after which it’s in danger of never leaving your head). Lux Aeterna is very similar to the Introitus which is very helpful to us! 

I probably don’t need to remind you to make sure you have all pieces printed off ready for rehearsal. If anyone has any trouble finding the music on the website, or indeed has any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at siobhan.waswood@icloud.com

Music for 23rd April (bring all music & a pencil!):

• Mozart, Requiem 

-Introitus

-Kyrie

-Dies Irae

-Lachrymosa

-Hostias

-Sanctus

-Benedictus

-Agnus Dei

-Lux Aeterna

• Mozart, Tito -Che del ciel
• Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
• Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar  

Subs:

As mentioned last week subs have unfortunately had to go up to £90 per term to cover increased venue costs. Please pay by bank transfer to the choir account – details as follows:

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort: 60-01-39

Summer & Autumn Term Dates (also see Calendar tab):

Summer Term:

16th April – 25th Jun inclusive, except half term 28th May & 18th June when we’ll have a week’s break post-concert.

• Concert Sat 15th June

Autumn Term:

10^th Sep – 10^th Dec, except 2 week half term 22^nd & 29^th Oct. 

• Come & Sing:     Sat 28^th Sep, 10:30am – 4pm, Christ Church

• Concert:               Sunday 15^th Dec

Dear All

We had a marvellously energetic and productive first rehearsal at St Mary’s looking in detail at the finale of the Magic Flute and the Introitus and Kyrie from the Requiem. Ben was very pleased with how it went!

Some of Ben’s tips:

Attack the ‘Dona’s’ in the Introitus as though flicking a rubber band, articulating the ‘D’

Bring out the brightness of the ‘Ex audi…’ (the citrus in the heavy treacle sponge…)

Be brave energising the semi-quaver runs of the Chris-te e-le—son’ in the Kyrie

Next week we will work on Che del ciel (Tito), Placido è il Mar (Idomeneo) and Hostias from the Requiem.

For those still figuring out their best route to St Mary’s, there appeared to be plenty of parking spaces on Tuesday evening on North Worple Way and Worple Street, both a short walk from St Mary’s ( St Mary the Virgin’s Church, Mortlake ).

Note, Autumn term dates are shown below and on calendar page – we’ll be holding our second Come & Sing on Saturday 28th Sep. Put it in your diary!

Music for 23rd April (bring all music):

• Mozart, Requiem 

-Introitus

-Kyrie

-Lachrymosa

-Dies Irae

-Hostias

-Sanctus

-Agnus Dei

• Mozart, Titus -Che del ciel
• Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
• Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar  

Summer & Autumn Term Dates (also see Calendar tab):

Summer Term:

16th April – 25th Jun inclusive, except half term 28th May & 18th June when we’ll have a week’s break post-concert.

Concert Sat 15th June

Autumn Term:

10^th Sep – 10^th Dec, except 2 week half term 22^nd & 29^th Oct. 

• Come & Sing:     Sat 28^th Sep, 10:30am – 4pm, Christ Church

• Concert:               Date tbc but likely Sunday 15^th Dec

Dear All

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter.

We’ll be back singing next Tuesday 16^th April – hurrah! Remember we’ll be in ST MARY THE VIRGIN’S church Mortlake, 19:45-21:30 as usual. Please allow plenty of time to find parking which is a bit trickier than at Christchurch. The entrance is accessed via the path (‘Church Path’) running alongside the church. The big wooden door will be open – push through the inner glass doors.

We will be working on the three opera choruses: Titus, Che del ciel; Magic Flute, Finale & Idomeneo, Placido è il Mar.

For those not familiar with St Mary’s ( St Mary the Virgin’s Church, Mortlake ), parking may be found on side roads nearby or (usually easier and a short walk away) on the South side of the railway on the roads off South Worple Street. 

Music for 16^th April (bring all music as usual & pencils!!!):

• Mozart, Requiem 

-Introitus

-Kyrie

-Lachrymosa

-Dies Irae

-Hostias

-Sanctus

-Agnus Dei

• Mozart, Titus -Che del ciel
• Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
• Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar  

Summer Term Dates (also see Calendar tab):

16th April – 25th Jun inclusive, except half term 28th May & 18^th June when we’ll have a week’s break post-concert.

Concert Sat 15^th June

Dear All 

Delighted to say I’ve just received a message from Brenda to pass on to the choir: 

“Please pass on my thanks to the choir for their card and the socks!  I am still under doctor’s orders but hope to come back soon.  I hope all goes well with all the concerts etc in the meantime. I am pleased to say I am on the mend and doing more each day.”

Marvellous news. Happy Easter everyone!

Dear All

Thank you again to everyone who took part in the Passiontide Service last Sunday with Christ Church Choir. Tom Coxhead really appreciated our efforts and enjoyed the collaboration. It was a real treat for the congregation, one I think they (and we!)  would love to see repeated.

We had a very productive last rehearsal of term covering several movements of the Requiem. We looked at the Lachrymosa, ran through the Introitus, Kyrie and Dies Irae and worked on the Sanctus and the last part of the Benedictus from p70.

A reminder of some of Ben’s tips:

-the start of the Sanctus should be a wall of sound, front sound the g of  ‘glo-ri-a’. 

-for the Benedictus, remember to open up the first ‘a’ in O-san-na , and there’s no r in ‘O-san-na in’! 

-and, my favourite from this week, the last piano phrase of the Introitus (p5 b46-8) should sound like ‘forte behind a muzzle’ and full of spite 

At the first rehearsal back after Easter we will work on the three opera choruses: Titus, Che del ciel; Magic Flute, Finale & Idomeneo, Placido è il Mar.

We have 3 weeks off for the Easter break (plenty of practice time for everyone missing rehearsals!) and return on Tuesday 16^th April to ST MARY THE VIRGIN’s Mortlake .

For those not familiar with St Mary’s ( St Mary the Virgin’s Church, Mortlake ), parking may be found on side roads nearby or (usually easier and a short walk away) on the South side of the railway on the roads off South Worple Street. Worth repeating, this latter location is en route to the Hare and Hounds on the Upper Richmond Road.

Anyone interested in booking a place at the Mozart Requiem Big Chorus event on 12th May that Sue drew our attention to on Tuesday, please see below for details. You’ll also see information about a Putney based choral workshop in July.

Music for 16^th April:

• Mozart, Requiem 

-Introitus

-Kyrie

-Lachrymosa

-Dies Irae

-Hostias

-Sanctus

-Benedictus

-Agnus Dei

• Mozart, Titus -Che del ciel
• Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
• Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar 

Local Singing Events:

Scratch Concert Mozart’s Requiem, information / booking link here:

Scratch performance of Mozart’s Requiem at The Royal Albert Hall , 12th May 2024

Run by Really Big Chorus, performance at 7 pm with two rehearsals the same day and compulsory attendance at both. One at 12 noon to 1.30 and the other 3.30-5 pm (one with the orchestra). Sue Eustace spotted this (thank you!) and has spoken to organisers who confirmed they still have availability for all parts though only high up circle seats left for the altos. 

It would be a great opportunity for a practice run for our concert for anyone who can make it. If anyone is interested in going it would probably make sense to book together with others in your section.  Sue is happy for you to contact her on sue.eustace@blueyonder.co.uk if you have any questions about booking.

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered flyer here: 

Two days of fabulous choral music making at St Margaret’s Putney, Fri 19th July & Sat 20th July 

Summer Term Dates (also see Calendar tab):

16th April – 25th Jun inclusive, except half term 28th May 

Concert Sat 15^th June

Dear All

We did a lot of work finessing the pieces for Passiontide in yesterday’s rehearsal. They were sounding fantastic by the end. It would be really good if we could keep what we practiced in mind for the next few days, ideally by running through the pieces at home if you have time. Including the Nunc Dimittis which Ben left to us on trust! Practice tracks on repertoire page and recording  here.

We also had a look at the Requiem movements, all of which are coming along nicely. The Introitus is sounding solid. For the Kyrie, focus first on mastering entries for three quaver ‘Chris-te e-’ and ‘Kyrie’ and getting the shape and feel of the semi-quaver runs. Keep in mind the weekly reminder to breathe early!

Next week we will work on The Requiem, recapping the Introitus and looking at the Sanctus and Hostias. BRING PENCILS!

Note: next week 19/3, is the LAST REHEARSAL BEFORE EASTER BREAK (back on 16^th April). All dates on Calendar page. 

When we return on 16^th April, and for all of next term, we will be rehearsing in St Mary the Virgin’s Church, Mortlake, while Christ Church undergoes essential electrical work. For those not familiar with St Mary’s, parking may be found on side roads nearby or (usually easier and a short walk away) on the South side of the railway on the roads off South Worple Street. This latter location is, incidentally, en route to the Hare and Hounds Pub on the Upper Richmond Road.

Thank you again to everyone who came to our Come and Sing day and worked to make it such an enjoyable success. There was a great atmosphere on the day and feedback from members and visitors alike was most appreciative and enthusiastic. What a lovely & uplifting way to spend a Saturday! We’ll definitely be doing another one, hopefully in September. More details to follow. 

For those who couldn’t make it, here is a little treat from Saturday, both beautiful and instructive (how to sing French), from the wonderful ‘R&B’ duo.

Passiontide Sunday 17^th March, Christ Church:

MUSIC:                  BRING YOUR OWN PRINTED MUSIC  – list as follows, links also on repertoire page

• Ireland, Greater Love

• Wood, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis
• Responses 

TIMINGS:                  

14:30                   Pre-rehearsal focussing on Responses 

15:00                   Rehearsal proper with CC choir and Tom Coxhead

16:20                   Break with refreshments provided

17:00                   Service begins

18:00                   Service ends (might finish slightly earlier)

DRESS CODE:  

No strict dress code, but suits for gents and dark/smart for ladies would be the guide. CC choir will wear robes. The choir do need to process in and out, so comfortable (black) shoes also encouraged.

Music for 19^th March (one new Requiem piece):

• Mozart, Requiem 

-Introitus

-Kyrie

-Lachrymosa

-Dies Irae

-Hostias

-Sanctus

-Agnus Dei

• Mozart, Titus -Che del ciel
• Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
• Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar 
• Mozart, Ave Verum  

Local Singing Events:

Two local singing events you may be interested in:

Scratch Concert Mozart’s Requiem, information / booking link here:

Scratch performance of Mozart’s Requiem at The Royal Albert Hall , 12^th May 2024

Run by Really Big Chorus, performance at 7 pm with two rehearsals the same day and compulsory attendance at both. One at 12 noon to 1.30 and the other 3.30-5 pm (one with the orchestra). Sue Eustace spotted this (thank you!) and has spoken to organisers who confirmed they still have availability for all parts though only high up circle seats left for the altos. 

Would be a great opportunity for a practice run for our concert for anyone who can make it.

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered flyer here: 

Two days of fabulous choral music making at St Margaret’s Putney, Fri 19^th July & Sat 20^th July 

Dear All

Excellent effort on Tuesday working through Wood’s Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis. Do have a listen to the recording recommended by Ben here, link also on the Repertoire page. If you can sing along to it even better. Lovely run through of Ireland’s Greater Love too – the progress we’d made allowing us to focus on details like the changing tempo through the piece.

We will work on the Wood & Ireland Passiontide pieces again next week as it will be the last rehearsal before the service. Please ensure you bring the ‘Responses’ again as we’ll have a go at them as well.

Come & Sing – Sat 9th March:

Flyer here

MUSIC: CHOIR TO BRING OWN MUSIC  – list as follows, links also on repertoire page:

• Mozart, Ave Verum
• Tallis, If ye love me 
• Fauré, Cantique de Jean Racine
• Mozart, Requiem – Lachrymosa & Dies Irae (bring Novello score)
• Mozart, Idomeneo, Placido e mar

Additional music to be provided to choir on the day:

• Vivaldi, Gloria 
• Vivaldi, Magnificat, Et Misericordia 

Setting up:  From 9:00am please could as many as possible get to Christchurch early to set up  

Cake:            Barbara will be in touch on Thursday with final details for the bakers. It’s not too late to add your name to her list if you can help barbarabrown5@virginmedia.com

Start:              10:30

Lunch:            Bring your own

Performance: 15:30 Informal performance – do invite your family and friends

Finish:              16:00

Clear up:          Volunteers also required to help at the end to clear up please!

Music for 12^th March (no new pieces):

• Ireland, Greater Love

• Wood, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis
• Responses 

Bring all other pieces as always:

• Mozart, Requiem 

• Mozart, Titus -Che del ciel
• Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
• Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar 
• Mozart, Ave Verum  

Programme for Summer Concert 15/6:

A few people were asking about the programme for the Summer Concert (15/6). The theme is a Celebration of Mozart (or something along those lines!) and we’ll be performing The Requiem plus a set of Opera Choruses. The concert will also feature Robert’s performance of one of Mozart’s piano concertos.

Choral programme as follows (there may be a couple of additional opera choruses added):

• Mozart, Requiem
• Mozart, Titus -Che del ciel
• Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
• Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar 

Dear All

Sam Leggett passes on his thanks for having him on Tuesday and congratulations for the excellent effort and fantastic sound we made!

We worked on the start of Wood’s Magnificat (up to page 3, end of the unison section) and Ireland’s Greater Love, as well as looking at the Introius from the Requiem and singing straight through this and the Kyrie and Dies Irae.

Please bring all music to next week’s rehearsal.  We will recap the Passiontide pieces.

Passiontide – 17^th March:

Availability: I have listed below those who have confirmed by email but a number of others have verbally confirmed. Could you please let me know if I have missed you off the list (sops? / male tenors? !) – or included you in error.

Sops:     Caroline Cuss

                Claire Michelet

                Tricia O’Neill

Altos:    Anna Andersen

                Alison Holmann-Hall

                Siobhan Jones

                Katrina Murphy

                Caroline Rice

                Jo Walker

                Suzanne Whittaker

Tenors: Barbara Brown

                Sue Eustace

                Alison Sherwin

Basses:  Tim Compton

                Anton Fishman

                Simon Renton

Music for 5^th March (no new pieces):

• Mozart, Requiem 

-Introitus

-Kyrie

-Lachrymosa

-Dies Irae

-Sanctus

-Agnus Dei

• Mozart, Titus -Che del ciel
• Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
• Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar 
• Mozart, Ave Verum  

• Ireland, Greater Love

• Wood, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis
• Psalm 34 
• Responses 

 Come & Sing – Sat 9th March:

 Keep the promotion going! – flyer here

 Guests can pay via link on flyer. Please could members pay direct to choir bank account (see below under ‘Subs’) to avoid ‘Sum-Up’ app fees. 

Subs:

Reminder that subs are due for this term (thank you to all those who have already paid);

Subs are £80 per term payable to Sheen Gate Choir – bank details as follows:

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort: 60-01-39

Calendar: 

See Calendar tab for key dates

Dear All

Lovely to hear everyone sounding in good voice after the half term break.

We worked on the Wood’s Gloria and Nunc Dimittis from the new pieces for Passiontide as well as re-capping movements from the Requiem. Ben is really impressed with the speed with which we’re picking up the Wood which is a tricky piece. Next week we’ll be tackling the first part of the Wood, The Magnificat. It might be helpful to listen to a recording ahead of rehearsal, link here and on repertoire page (Music & Media tab) where you’ll also find practice tracks (let me know if you are having difficulty accessing).

We’ll also look at first movement of the Requiem putting it together with the Kyrie and Dies Irae. Keep in mind Ben’s tip in the Kyrie to focus on where each part comes in with the Kyries & Christes (the ‘dotted crotchet followed by quaver’ & the ‘3 quavers’ he mentioned). 

Bring all music to rehearsal. Focus next week will be on First Movement of Mozart Requiem, Introitus, and Wood’s Magnificat.

Music for 27^th Feb (1 new Requiem movement):

• Mozart, Requiem 

-Introitus

-Kyrie

-Dies Irae

-Lachrymosa

-Sanctus

-Agnus Dei

• Mozart, Titus -Che del ciel
• Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
• Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar 
• Mozart, Ave Verum  

• Ireland, Greater Love

• Wood, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis
• Psalm 34 
• Responses 

 Come & Sing – Sat 9th March:

 Keep the promotion going! – flyer here

 Guests can pay via link on flyer. Please could members pay direct to choir bank account (see below under ‘Subs’) to avoid ‘Sum-Up’ app fees.

IIMA Choral Event in France:

West London Choral, our neighbour in Chiswick, has asked us to circulate their flyer for a choral event taking place in South of France in April link here. In return they are promoting our Come & Sing to their Chiswick base! The South of France event is run by Issigeac International Music Academy (IIMA) https://iimusicacademy.com/ which has a connection with WLC through of its members. Looks like a fun event!

Subs:

Reminder that subs are due for this term (thank you to all those who have already paid);

Subs are £80 per term payable to Sheen Gate Choir – bank details as follows:

Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir

Account Number: 47107324

Sort: 60-01-39

Calendar: 

See Calendar tab for key dates

Dear All

Hope you’re all having a lovely half term.

Quick addendum to last week’s update: please could you print off and bring the following additional three pieces to next Tuesday’s (20/2) rehearsal. Links to all music also on ‘Repertoire – Spring/ Summer 2024’ page. Scroll down to Passiontide section where practice track for Wood may also be found:

• Wood, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis
• Psalm 34 
• Responses 

We will look at these as well as focussing on the two new Requiem movements advised earlier– Sanctus and Agnus Dei – plus the Ireland. 

Don’t forget Robert’s recital on Sunday too! – 12:00, 18^th Feb, All Saints Putney