9 NOVEMBER 2024

Lovely singing last Wednesday.  Our three pieces for Tony’s concert (see below) are already sounding really confident as regards notes so we will be able to concentrate on detail next week.  If you can do a bit of homework and memorise the words of “Grateful and Loved” that would be marvellous.   In addition we will continue our Christmas repertoire – standard carols + Carol of Adoration (held over from last time), the Ukrainian Bell Carol (in Ukrainian of course), The First Nowell and Come Tune Your Cheerful Voice.  Words where needed have all been attached recently.  Those of you (altos, tenors and basses) who have choir carol booklets from previous years please bring them along

COMING CHOIR EVENTS – there are a lot of these!

2024

Saturday 23 November  Concert celebrating the life of Tony Hawkins.  5.00 p.m. St Peter’s Church.  We will be singing three songs – When I was One and Twenty, Grateful and Loved and The Road Home.

Sunday 8 December Carol singing at the Shaftesbury Christmas market.  Late morning.  Collection for DEC

Tuesday 10 December  Singing carols at St Dennis Lodge.  2.30 p.m.

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 refreshments at the Arts Centre.  Collection for DEC

2025

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

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 –

Tuesday 12 November  Pianist Simeon Walker, St Peter’s church, 1-2pm.   Hot drinks free. Tickets £12/10.    Simeon is currently on a tour of the U.K. playing his own compositions — moody and melodic!   We are lucky to get him in Dorset as he is often on  Classic FM and Radio 3, plus YouTubes.

Friday 15 November  Blandford Literary Festival featuring Karen’s Palida Choir.  Lots of familiar faces among them of course.  7.00 p.m. Blandford Parish Church.  See attached flyer

Sunday 17 November  Shaftesbury Symphony Orchestra concert.  Beethoven’s Fifth, Magic Flute Overture, Dvorak’s Czech Suite and a new work by their conductor Sarah Freestone.  4.00 p.m. St James Church.  Admission free.  See attached 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.   I am hoping to go to this so could probably offer a lift to two or three people if anyone would like transport.  Details on https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2024/04/25/sun-24-november-jump/

Sunday 15 December  Wincanton Choral Society Christmas Concert.  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, ‘Messiah’, featuring world-class musicians 'The Echoing Air', a vocal ensemble of eight singers will sing both the choruses and solos, accompanied by instrumental ensemble.  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 attached 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

9 November 2024