SUMMER 2016 Patron: Sir Richard Hanbury Tenison President: Jane Glover Conductor: Steven Kings MONMOUTH CHORAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 87 LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE Our Lent term’s music was much enjoyed by the society and I can do no better than to quote from Angela Hoyle’s review of Monmouth Choral Society’s March concert that took place at the Wyastone Concert Hall. ‘The choir’s performance of Lili Boulanger’s Buddhist prayer and her Biblical Psalm 129 adapted and arranged for choir and two pianos by Steven Kings were performed with great sensitivity and set the scene for an evening depicting the many facets of life, from the spiritual to the earthly. The inclusion of David Lion’s Suite for Percussion and the Scherzo from Leonard Salzedo’s Concerto for Percussion showcased a variety of textured sounds, rhythms and cross-rhythms adeptly performed by the Regency Percussion Ensemble under the expert direction of the ever popular Diggory Seacome who has had a long-standing relationship with Monmouth Choral Society. The sensuality derived from texture and rhythm experienced through pieces in the first half of the concert led to an appropriate sequel in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana for the second half. Orff’s belief that music should be taught through senses using poetry, drama and dance but in particular rhythmic precision using words is epitomised in this work. Performed here in the exceptional Wyastone acoustics in a version for two pianos (Christopher Northam and Gus Treadwell) and percussion (The Regency Percussion Ensemble), did not detract from the exhilarating orchestral version. The choir took on board ‘con gusto’ the speedy tempo and rhythmic dynamism of the relevant sections while the lyrical pieces, in particular, ‘Chume, chum, geselle min’, were performed with great delicacy. Rob Waters (tenor) and Phil Wilcox (bass) exhibited great skill and quality of tone in both extremes of their vocal ranges while the audience held its breath as soprano Catherine Greenwell’s flowing top notes soared seemingly without effort. The choir’s Musical director Steven Kings promised a concert of “percussive brilliance, pianistic virtuosity and choral exhilaration”. He and all participants involved certainly delivered as was evident from the richly deserved applause, smiles and cheers at the end of a memorable evening.’ In February we held a most successful Come & Sing Workshop with Mozart’s Requiem as its core. In Steve King’s absence, Rebecca Holdeman, the Director of Music for the Bristol Cabot Choir led 90 singers, choir members, past and present as well as newcomers in a stimulating and fun morning which culminated in a performance of the choral sections. ‘Sing for Steve’ has arrived for Monmouth Choral Society. The aim is to create an opportunity for any volunteering member of the choir to ‘Sing for Steve’: to listen to each of our voices, to establish from our vocal range the best choral section in which to sing and to make suggestions about improving quality of voice and singing skills. It gives us as singers the chance to be heard by a professional musician and for Steve to give each of us feedback on our voices. This is very much an extended term project because we are a large choir and there is only one Director of Music! Angela Flynn has been one of the Society’s greatest servants in recent times and is retiring from Committee work after 10 years having been variously Chairperson, Vice-Chair and Concert Manager. The sheer magnitude of planning, bringing together and physically locating orchestras, choirs and soloists is demanding mentally, emotionally and energetically, and we are all in Angela’s debt for her efficiency, drive and good humour. Stephen Borthwick & Committee A view from the audience in Wyastone
Our Lent term’s music was much enjoyed by the society and I can do no better than to quote from Angela Hoyle’s review of Monmouth Choral Society’s March concert that took place at the Wyastone Concert Hall.
‘The choir’s performance of Lili Boulanger’s Buddhist prayer and her Biblical Psalm 129 adapted and arranged for choir and two pianos by Steven Kings were performed with great sensitivity and set the scene for an evening depicting the many facets of life, from the spiritual to the earthly.
The inclusion of David Lion’s Suite for Percussion and the Scherzo from Leonard Salzedo’s Concerto for Percussion showcased a variety of textured sounds, rhythms and cross-rhythms adeptly performed by the Regency Percussion Ensemble under the expert direction of the ever popular Diggory Seacome who has had a long-standing relationship with Monmouth Choral Society.
The sensuality derived from texture and rhythm experienced through pieces in the first half of the concert led to an appropriate sequel in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana for the second half. Orff’s belief that music should be taught through senses using poetry, drama and dance but in particular rhythmic precision using words is epitomised in this work. Performed here in the exceptional Wyastone acoustics in a version for two pianos (Christopher Northam and Gus Treadwell) and percussion (The Regency Percussion Ensemble), did not detract from the exhilarating orchestral version. The choir took on board ‘con gusto’ the speedy tempo and rhythmic dynamism of the relevant sections while the lyrical pieces, in particular, ‘Chume, chum, geselle min’, were performed with great delicacy. Rob Waters (tenor) and Phil Wilcox (bass) exhibited great skill and quality of tone in both extremes of their vocal ranges while the audience held its breath as soprano Catherine Greenwell’s flowing top notes soared seemingly without effort.
The choir’s Musical director Steven Kings promised a concert of “percussive brilliance, pianistic virtuosity and choral exhilaration”. He and all participants involved certainly delivered as was evident from the richly deserved applause, smiles and cheers at the end of a memorable evening.’
In February we held a most successful Come & Sing Workshop with Mozart’s Requiem as its core. In Steve King’s absence, Rebecca Holdeman, the Director of Music for the Bristol Cabot Choir led 90 singers, choir members, past and present as well as newcomers in a stimulating and fun morning which culminated in a performance of the choral sections.
‘Sing for Steve’ has arrived for Monmouth Choral Society. The aim is to create an opportunity for any volunteering member of the choir to ‘Sing for Steve’: to listen to each of our voices, to establish from our vocal range the best choral section in which to sing and to make suggestions about improving quality of voice and singing skills. It gives us as singers the chance to be heard by a professional musician and for Steve to give each of us feedback on our voices. This is very much an extended term project because we are a large choir and there is only one Director of Music!
Angela Flynn has been one of the Society’s greatest servants in recent times and is retiring from Committee work after 10 years having been variously Chairperson, Vice-Chair and Concert Manager. The sheer magnitude of planning, bringing together and physically locating orchestras, choirs and soloists is demanding mentally, emotionally and energetically, and we are all in Angela’s debt for her efficiency, drive and good humour.
Britten: Ceremony of Carols and a selection of other carols in Welsh and English
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OUR NEXT CONCERT Thisconcertbringstogethertwoverydifferentreligiousworks.Duruflé'syearning,plainsong-inspiredsettingoftheRequiemisa gentle andmeditative response to these age-old prayers forthe souls of the dead. By contrast, Rutter'smusic reflects themany varied moods of the Magnificat - humility, wonder,gratitude, strength in the faceofone's enemies,andaboveallthejoyouspraiseofGod.
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Choir dress: Ladies: Ladies will wear orchestral black i.e. black tops (with sleeves) and full length black skirts or trousers, black tights and shoes. Men: As usual: DJs with white dress-shirts and black bow ties.
A reminder that you need to attend 70% of rehearsals in order to sing in a concert. For the forthcoming concert on June 18th, this amounts to 9 rehearsals including the particularly important final Friday evening and Saturday afternoon practices which ought not to be missed. The four heads of section: Ted Bannister, Colin Copestake, Jean Hancock and Sue Wilderspin keep running totals of rehearsal attendance and can give guidance.
FORTHCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS Finzi fans (we sang his Dies Natalis at Christmas and My Spirit Sang all Day at Trellech) might like to know that a stained glass window to him in Gloucester Cathedral will be dedicated during evensong on Saturday 25th June.
UNICORN SINGERS, conducted by Stephen Marshall www.unicornsingers.co.uk
18th June, 2016 at 7.30pm, Llansantffraed Church
Swan of the Usk: A celebration of music, song and poetry in homage to Coleridge and Vaughan, with Hannah Medlam (soprano), James Bramley (lute and theorbo) and readings by the Vaughan Association. Organised by the Brecknock Society & Museum Friends and Unicorn Singers
1st October, 2016 at 7pm, Dore Abbey, Herefordshire
Purely Purcell: Concert with Charles Daniels (tenor)
NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES Fundraising Events
11th June, 2016 at 7.30pm, The Chapel, Market Street, Abergavenny NP7 5SD
Elin Manahan Thomas: Baroque favourites, including Purcell and Handel, accompanied by Andrew Wilson-Dickson. Recital followed by Meet the Artist. Tickets £15 from The Chapel (01873 736430), The Art Shop (01873 852690), Abergavenny Music (01873 853394)
23rd July, 2016 at 7.30pm, The Chapel, Market Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5SD
Gwent Chamber Orchestra (leader Julia Watkins), conductor Stephen Broom. Holst: St Paul’s Suite; Bach: Violin Concerto in A minor; Telemann: Suite Don Quichotte; Boyce: Symphony No 4; Handel: Concerto Grosso in A, Op 6 No 11; Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Tickets as above.
The 2015-2016 Line-up of Officers and Committee Members
