H&DCS Blog |
John Rutter at the Albert HallJuly 12th was another memorable day for some of us in Halstead Choral, when we joined nearly 2000 singers at the Albert Hall to rehearse and perform Rutter's popular Requiem. This was just one of the concerts taking place during the year as part of THE REALLY BIG CHORUS events, and we were privileged to be conducted by the composer. The highlight of the first half of the concert for many of us was a stunning performance of The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams, played by violinist Thomas Gould, who has been described by the Evening Standard as a "rising star". We in the chorus had our part to play by starting the evening with Vaughan Williams' Hundredth Psalm (O Be Joyful) and then we relaxed to enjoy The Banks of Green Willow by Butterworth and Vaughan Williams' English Folk Songs Suite. Our big moment came in the second half with the Requiem and, as usual in this great building, orchestra, conductor and chorus came together to create a unique sound. John Rutter received a standing ovation from audience and chorus, before 2000 singers from choirs in all parts of the UK and beyond, began their journeys home. |
Rehearsal FunGreat fun at the Church rehearsal last night (9th June) Tony, twiddling on the organ - choir in full voice singing Serenade to Music - organ breaks down just as we sing - "We cannot hear it"!!! I've never heard the choir laugh so much - it was good to hear. Adrian, a tenor, ended up pumping the organ by hand so that we could finish rehearsal. Let's hope all goes well on Saturday. I think we've sorted out the problem of transporting the Timpani(s). |
Party TimeAfter all the work - time for a party! Monday 18th June didn't start off looking like a the right day to have an evening party in the garden! Thankfully the wet and dull day transformed into a lovely sunny evening, as if to order for the H&DCS end of year party in Les and Rob Wood's garden in Twinstead. We see each other every week at choir practice, work hard together but don't get the chance to chat (Mark might think otherwise!), so a party is very welcome and great fun. |
As usual we all contributed some food to the table and miraculously provided a great meal for all. Thanks especially to Les and Rob for their hospitality. The garden is a lovely setting for an evening party as well as providing a navigation challenge for many to find it amongst the lanes! |
Celebrating 50 Years'The music was very exciting!' said one concert-goer at the end of last night's programme. Exciting too for the choir as the pace was fast and kept us on our toes for every trill! The music was exciting too - Handel's Te Deum and Coronation Anthems were sung by the choir along with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. A very appropriate programme to celebrate a golden anniversary. |
We could not celebrate 50 years without a huge thank you to Tony Percival who has accompanied the choir for over 35 years! Our current Chair, Maggie Swainsbury made a presentation to Tony of some gorgeous English roses that our intelligence had told us would be well received! |
Reflections on H&DCS 50th Year DinnerThe evening was cool for the third week in May as sixty and more of us, dressed in our finery, made our way to the Masonic Hall in Parsonage Street on Friday 25th, for a celebratory dinner to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Halstead and District Choral Society. Unlike the weather however, the welcome we received was warm, a champagne reception followed by a three course dinner with wine. The hall looked beautiful with a spanking new banner behind the bar, and the tables with flowers and balloons all in the Choral Society's colours of blue and yellow. The catering was first class; the service good and the Society entertained itself with soloists, odes, ditties and a quartet after the meal. It was good to see members, guests, past members, and conductors and the mayor, our patron. A good evening was enjoyed by all, and our thanks go to the hard work of the organising committee. The question now is - can we find a good excuse for another 'bash' soon! |
Elijah - Combined Concert with Braintree ChoralSaturday 21st April saw and heard H&DCS singing in Coggeshall church with Braintree District Choral Society for a joint concert singing Mendelssohn's Elijah accompanied by over 30 orchestral musicians. The combined choir was enormous and yet in parts their singing was so soft but at all times seemed very secure. The rousing choruses were superb with orchestra at full volume. But, if I don't sing in future, I will remember to take a cushion! |
Christmas Family Day Carols at Hedingham castle 2009An ensemble of choir members including Eddie Morley, Ken Willis, Maureen Willis, Clare Waters, Liz Pottinger and Juliet Harpur sang carols in the lofty and ancient surroundings of the Keep at Having worked out the best place to stand acoustically and technically ( i.e. locating the power socket for the keyboard!) we gathered together in our different voice parts and, gaily conducted by Liz, sang our hearts out to the mobile throng of the general public who had come to the castle for the Christmas festivities. Eddie and Juliet sang a sweet duet of ‘There is a Flower’, a German dittie I believe, to the tune of ‘A Great and Mighty Wonder’ which, although I say it myself, was very well received! So too was the traditional flavour of the rest of the two part set, I think we even had a few of the punters joining in! Although we were few in number we were perfectly balanced and members of the audience commented on how professional we sounded. Not bad for a scratch choir! Demetra Lyndsay of We were rewarded with mulled wine and mince pies for our efforts and we hope to do It again next year! Juliet Harpur |