Hi everyone, just a quick post on here to update you all on a few things before we begin in less than a week! I’m so excited to get going again, and have missed all your smiling faces over the summer... but where has the time gone?!
First rehearsal back
I’m really looking forward to our first rehearsal back on Wednesday 7th September. A quick reminder that we’ll be rehearsing the Brahms Requiem in September, not our Christmas programme just yet!
We’ll have new music to give out, and I believe Susannah will be at the church from around 7pm, so please arrive in good time to pick up the music. Don’t forget your pencils! And, if you’re using your own scores, please note we’ll be using the Peter’s Edition.
I’ve been told we’ll have around 15 new members joining us for the first rehearsal, with more coming in the first few weeks (brilliant!), so I know we’ll all extend a warm CNCS welcome to them and help them feel at ease. Please wear your name badges if you’ve got them.
The first rehearsal will be an informal and (hopefully) fun introduction to the Brahms Requiem, so there’s nothing to prepare – only to listen to the recommended recording HERE. If there’s anything you’d like to have a look at in particular, we’ll certainly be having a look at movements 2 and 4.
Next Season
Just a reminder about our forthcoming ‘22/’23 season. Please note the changed concert date for the Spring concert – this was to avoid a clash I had overlooked, so apologies for this!
(Click on the piece to hear it)
Christmas ’22
Programme: Corp’s A Christmas Mass, Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols, and other favourites from 100 Carols for Choirs.
Term dates: Wednesday 7th September – Friday 16th December 2022.
Concert: Saturday 17th December ’22 @ St Mary’s Church, Chipping Norton.
Spring ’23
Programme: Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem.
Term dates: Wednesday 4th January – Friday 24th March 2023.
Concert: Sunday 26th March ’23 @ St Mary’s Church, Banbury.
Summer ’23
Programme: A selection of Madrigals, Part Songs, and Folk Songs. Specific pieces to be shared soon.
Term dates: Wednesday 19th April – Friday 16th June 2023.
Concert: Saturday 17th June ’23 @ St Mary’s Church, Chipping Norton.
Please note that specific rehearsal dates, times, locations, etc. will be shared with the choir for each term.
Other information
Eric will be sending/has sent out an email with all of the information you could need in, but if there’s anything you have any questions or concerns about, do drop Eric an email here: eric.clubley@braidholm.com
Marked scores for the Christmas Programme will be provided in the next few weeks, and the Brahms by the end of the term.
Finally
Ruth (Tenor) has asked me to publicise a concert – it looks like amazing repertoire, and if I weren’t going to the Prom that day I’d attend. Do go along and support.
This week’s musical musing is following on from the last; this time, my favourite symphony by Mahler, his Second Symphony “Resurrection”. We actually saw this live at the Proms last week with Simon Rattle conducting, and while the recording doesn’t quite do justice to the overwhelming power of the orchestra and choir, it’s still an incredibly moving and emotional performance. If you’re pushed for time, just listen to the 4th movement, Urlicht (this recording of Leonard Bernstein conducting).
– Ben