Dear All,
Congratulations on a truly wonderful turn out for the Christmas Tree lights on Monday and for singing so lustily last night too. What a great bunch of people you are! I particularly enjoyed making a start on two old favourites of mine yesterday – Bethlehem Down and Joyful Mysteries. I am attaching a recording of the latter in case you have not had it before. It was also a revelation, to me at least, to hear just how effective it was to be miked up.
This weekend, on Saturday afternoon, we have the Life Celebration for Diane at East Stour Village Hall (SP8 5JY). Although it does not officially start until 2.00 p.m., guests are arriving from 1.00 so we are asking you to get there at 12.30 both to work out where we will be singing from and to have a quick run through. We will have a room set aside if we want to bring a picnic lunch, and there will be refreshments available afterwards for those who would like to stay on. PLEASE DO SUPPORT THIS IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN. As a choir we have sung at two or three such occasions over the past ten years and they are very moving experiences and really, really appreciated by the families of the deceased.
For our carol singing on Thursday 19th December we are going to support two good causes: Crisis, the UK national charity for homeless people, and the 2020 Tree Planting initiative led by the Shaftesbury Tree Group and Town Council.
We will be having a guest director on Wednesday 29th January, when Karen and I will be handing over the baton, temporarily, to Sian Croose. She is well known for her uplifting and inclusive style as well as her ability to support groups of singers to stretch themselves and create a wonderful sound!
Finally, if you have an item or two that you would like to perform at our New Year Party please let me know over the next couple of weeks and make sure you see me write it down.
COMING CHOIR EVENTS
Saturday 7 December Life Celebration for Diane May at East Stour village hall. 2.00 p.m. We will be singing “Wake up” and “Heart To Heart”. There will be tea and cake after the formalities are over. Again, normal dress code. (See above)
Saturday 14 December Singing for the Friends of Westminster Hospital Christmas Bazaar. 10.45 – 11.30 (We will be singing at the hospital itself, NOT the Quaker Meeting House)
Sunday 15 December Motcombe Christmas Procession. Assembling at 5.00 p.m. at the Coppleridge (Elm Hill, Motcombe, SP7 9HR). There will be a pit stop at Motcombe Grange (SP7 9HJ) at around 5.30 / 5.45 and we should arrive at the Village Hall about 6.15. We will be singing en route with the Shaftesbury Town Band as well as doing some numbers ourselves at the Coppleridge and the Grange but probably not at the Village Hall.
Wednesday 18 December Choir Christmas Party. Mulled wine and mince pies of course.
Thursday 19 December 10.45 – 11.30 Carol singing in Shaftesbury High Street with coffee and mince pies at the Arts Centre afterwards.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day No Choir. (Two weeks off this year!)
Wednesday 8 January 2020 Grand Choir Party herald in 2020 and to celebrate 10 glorious years!
Wednesday 29th January Session with guest director Sian Croose.
… and looking much further ahead
Friday 8 May We have been asked to take part in the Shaftesbury VE Day celebrations (75 year celebration). 6.30 – 6.55 p.m. on a specially erected stage outside the Town Hall. More details later … much later.
OTHER EVENTS … LOADS OF THEM
Thursday 5 December (today) I am playing for a short recital at St. Thomas’ Church, Fisherton Street, Salisbury. 3.15 - .45. Admission free and the Christmas Tree Festival should look amazing.
until Tues 10 Dec Andrea (alto) is curating a group exhibition at the Arts Centre gallery, Perguadeo II. Seven artists of various styles and disciplines. See earlier flyer.
Fri 6 – Sun 8 December The Spirit of Christmas at Riversmeet, Gillingham. See earlier flyer.
Saturday 7 December Emily Burridge (cello) Candlelit concert for the Amazon. 6.30 pm St Peter’s Church, Shaftesbury. See last week’s flyer
Sunday 8 December Wincanton Choral Society Christmas Concert. See earlier flyer.
Saturday 14 December Spectra Musica Christmas Concert. Wincanton. See earlier flyer
… also Gillingham Singers concert. St Mary’s Church. See attached flyer.
Sunday 15 December Shaftesbury Orchestra at Port Regis School. 7.30 p.m. Music by Weber and Schubert and with quite a few familiar faces in the orchestra too. In aid of HeadSmart. See attached flyer
Tuesday 17 December Roses, Berries and all that is Green. Palida and the Shaftesbury Ukeleles. 8.00 p.m. Town Hall. See attached flyer
Friday 20 December Here we come a-wassailing… Gillingham Arts Workshop at Gillingham Library. 5.3-0 – 6.30. See attached flyer.
David