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Happy Easter!
Since the last newsletter Shepshed Singers have participated in two successful major concerts. The first, back in November, was titled ‘Baroque Choral Classics’ and featured the Ascension Oratorio by J.S.Bach, Handel’s Chandos Anthem 9 and Charpentier’s Te Deum. Loughborough Parish Church was well-filled and it was good to see several of our Patrons in the audience. The Chameleon Arts Orchestra were once again in fine form accompanying the Singers. The event drew praise from the Loughborough Echo’s critic who felt ‘the choice of music and standard of performance made the concert singularly rewarding’. He also commented that ‘the colour and brilliance of the Charpentier, the familiar hymn tune of the Handel and the eloquent storytelling of the Bach, all were conveyed with musical economy and spiritual conviction’. More recently, at the beginning of March, there was a joint concert at St James the Greater Church in Leicester, with Cantamici, a Leicester-based chamber choir. They are conducted by David Necklen who is well known to the Shepshed Singers. The concert featured two contrasting settings of the Magnificat, one by J.S. Bach, conducted by Mr Necklen and the other by Alan Hovhaness conducted by Andrew Goff. The choirs were accompanied by members of the Bardi Orchestra and guest soloists. The concert was once again extremely well attended. Both settings of the Magnificat were very challenging and the Hovhaness was particularly exciting when performed as a whole with the orchestra and soloists and was musically very unusual both for the orchestra and the voices in the choir!
Looking back to Christmas, it was an unusually quiet period for Shepshed Singers and our only performance was at St Botolph’s in Shepshed to a very enthusiastic congregation, along with Charnwood Concert Band under the direction of Dave Coble. Our final pre-Christmas rehearsal drew to a close early so that we could enjoy some Christmas nibbles and mulled wine to replace the New Year dinner. Between Christmas and New Year the Singers were delighted to sing at a wedding in Belton, during which they performed in Swedish, in honour of the Groom’s family – another first!
In the middle of February several members of Shepshed Singers were happy to play host to members of Sine Nomine (the international touring choir of which Andrew is a member) who were meeting in the area for one of their four rehearsal/concert weekends (www.sinenom.com). On the Saturday evening some members of the Shepshed Singers organised a Barn Dance with ‘Fiddle Factor’ providing great music and a caller directing everyone through some technically challenging dances! A Ploughman’s Supper was provided and a great time was had by all. Together with a raffle, the dance raised some welcome funds for Shepshed Singers.
Forthcoming Events Saturday April 12th St Botolph’s rededication by Bishop Tim Stevens following the refurbishment of the church. Shepshed Singers will be singing at this event. Please check the website/local press for more details nearer the time.
Saturday May 17th Frederick Street United Reformed Church Loughborough A concert of sacred and secular music. Please check the website for ticket prices. |