23 NOVEMBER 2024

A belated Happy St Cecilia’s Day to you all.  (St Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and it was her big day yesterday – thanks for the tip-off Jackie)

Looking forward to the concert later on today – our three pieces are sounding absolutely lovely.  I have made some reserved labels for you so please make sure you are in your seats by 4.45  Don’t let Storm Bert put you off from coming either.    Normal dress code of course (shades of red above the waist [plain, no patterns], dark or black beneath, and absolutely NO antlers.) 

Our Christmas repertoire  continues to go well.  Next week we will continue work on the Ukrainian Bell Carol and The First Nowell* and have a look at No Small Wonder*, Christmas is Coming*, See Amid and While Shepherds.  These last two are in the Bethlehem Carol Sheet and our choir carol booklets.  Those of you (altos, tenors and basses) who have them from previous years please bring them with you. 

*The words of Christmas is Coming and No Small Wonder are attached + music for the First Nowell for those who would like it.  (Words are in the Bethlehem Carol Sheet.)  Please print them out yourselves if you can and maybe a spare copy to pass onto the needy!  

 

COMING CHOIR EVENTS -

2024

TODAY Saturday 23 November  Concert celebrating the life of Tony Hawkins.  5.00 p.m. St Peter’s Church. 

Sunday 8 December Carol singing at the Shaftesbury Christmas market.  11.30 am for about thirty minutes or so.  We will congregate by the Christmas tree near King Alfred’s Tea Room at about 11.15.  Collection for DEC

Tuesday 10 December  Singing carols and Christmas songs at St Dennis Lodge.  2.30 p.m.   Antlers oprtional.

Wednesday 11 December  Open rehearsal – invite your friends, maybe do a party piece etc.   Festive refreshments.  Details anon. 

Thursday 19 December  Market Day Carol Singing followed by seasonal refreshments at the Arts Centre.  Late morning, times to be decided.  Collection for DEC

2025

Sunday 2 February  Westminster Hospital Remembrance Service and Celebration.  Town Hall.  Afternoon.  More details later.

Wednesday 19 February Open rehearsal concentrating on Nature Songs as part of the Snowdrop Festival.  Details anon. 

Unspecified Thursday  Singing for the Shaftesbury Thursday afternoon Dementia Friendly group

Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment.  I have said provisionally yes so please make a note of the date in your next year’s diaries.  Many thanks.

OTHER COMING EVENTS –

Sat 23 – Mon 25 November  Donhead Art Exhibition.  See last week’s flyer.

Sunday 24 November  Jump   Field recordings of insects and amphibians combine with Karen playing live and multi-tracked clarinets to take audiences on an enchanting musical journey through a symphony of small voices.     Dorchester Corn Exchange.  2.00 p.m.   Further details on https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2024/04/25/sun-24-november-jump/

also …

Rolling Harmony at the Grosvenor, Shaftesbury.  4.00 p.m.  Tickets £12.  See last week’s flyer.

also …

Sing along with the Swingers.  Victoria Hall, Tisbury.  3.00 p.m.  Free entry.  See last week’s flyer

Friday 29 November  The Folk Detectives – music and humour from Matthew Crampton and Paul Hutchinson (Karen’s amazing accordionist friend).  Hornblotton Village Hall  7.30 p.m.  See attached flyer.

Friday 6 December  Hope, Light and Love – An Advent Journey.  St Peter’s Church.  6.30 p.m.  Lovely seasonal music,  wine and mince pies.  Not to be missed.

Sunday 8 December    ‘Tis Christmas Time.  Pilgrim Singers featuring soloist Marta Fontanals-Simmons, fresh from the Proms and Covent Garden.   Wincanton 7.00 p.m.  See attached flyer.

Saturday 14 December  A Winter’s Night - Gillingham Singers Christmas Concert, Milton on Stour  6.30 p.m.  See attached flyer.

Sunday 15 December  Wincanton Choral Society Christmas Concert.  See earlier flyer.

Tuesday 17 December  Gillingham Arts Workshop – Drive the Cold Winter Away.  Carols and readings.  Gillingham Library 5.00 p.m.   See attached flyer.

Thursday 19 December Handel's Messiah 6.00p.m. ST MARY'S CHURCH, Bruton, BA10 0EB   A rare intimate chamber performance of Handel’s great work.  Tickets £12.50, booking fee applies, children free (no ticket required). Refreshments available beforehand. Tickets purchased here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/bruton/st-marys-church/handels-messiah/2024-12-19/18:00/t-moayrye or on the door (£15). Retiring collection for St Mary's Church.

YOGA

Annie (soprano) is offering mixed ability Yoga classes in Shaftesbury on Thursdays.   See earlier flyer for full details.

PAYMENT BY BACS

If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:

Shaftesbury Community Choir

Account no. 23158960    Sort code: 30-65-21

Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.

David

23 November 2024