3 JUNE 2023

Yet again there was some really wonderful singing Wednesday evening – congratulations all round. This coming week we will do the remaining verses of Shaftesbury’s Delights, polish Give Me Wings and hopefully have a look at Green Man.

We are singing at Motcombe next Saturday of course when I would like to do most of the following: Bela Mama; Simama; Vive La Compagnie; Circle of Life; Blue Moon; Give Me Wings; Place Called England; Wake Up; I am a River; Morning has come; Up above my head; Little Bit of Love; 500 Miles; Say, Say Yes. We will have a very quick look at most of these on Wednesday as well, so be prepared for a really good sing.  Words have either been attached in recent weeks or are not needed.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  12.15 – 12.45.   Main Stage  Please arrive by 12.00 (when the gates open).  Usual dress code – red above the waist (no patterns), black or dark beneath.

Wednesday 14 June Big Green Week.  Hopefully in the Abbey Gardens, weather permitting.  Bring friends, family and picnics.  Doors open at 6.00 p.m.  There will be music from around 6.30 and we will start at around 7.00.  NO CHARGE THIS WEEK!  See earlier flyer

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special for this week too.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  Provisionally 5.00 p.m.  Barton Hill.

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

 

OTHER EVENTS

Thursday 22 June  Lunchtime Concert.  Duo Redgate.  St Peter’s Church.  See attached flyer.  These two, from Oxford, are playing strings and woodwind, “From the Baroque to the Virtuosic” and Chris Redgate, Prof at the RAM, has developed the Redgate System for oboe, so should be really interesting. Free coffee and sandwiches as usual!  See attached flyer

Fri 23 and Sat 24 June  Two concerts for Ukraine.  St John’s, Tisbury.  See earlier flyer

Saturday 24 June   Twelfth Night.  Abbey Gardens, Shaftesbury.  See earlier flyer.

also

Organ recital by organist extraordinaire Chris Mahon.  3.00p.m. St James’ Church.  FREE.  More details later.

CAFÉ ESPAÑOL

Conversation, listening,  reading,  translation and fun! 

Coffee and cake  

Sunday 11 June from 11am -  12.30

Manston village hall  DT10 1EX

£15 cash or BACS, message Hazel for details – 07969 465875

David

3 June 2023

27 MAY 2023

Yet another fantastic turnout on Wednesday evening and with the food bank full to overflowing once again.  Great response to the quilt raffle too.  It will be drawn this afternoon (Saturday) at the hospital fete (2.00 – 4.30).  Hope to see you there.

This coming week we will polish Shaftesbury’s Delights, Tree of Life and Blue Moon, have a look at Give Me Wings (held over from last time) along with Circle of Life and Green Man + I am a River and Simama as warm-ups.  Words for Green Man are attached, others have been attached in recent weeks or are not needed.

Our repertoire for Motcombe Fete, the Big Green Week and Make Music Day will be chosen from the following “long list”:

Bela Mama; Walk in Beauty; Ooh la la lay; To walk along this shore; Oak of Old; Simama; Heart to Heart; Vive La Compagnie; Circle of Life; Blue Moon; Green Man; Give Me Wings; Shaftesbury’s Delights; Place Called England; Tree of Life; Wake Up; Vive La Compagnie; I am a River; Morning has come; Up above my head; Little Bit of Love; 500 Miles; Say, Say Yes; This  Lonesome Road.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  12.15 – 12.45.   Main Stage

Wednesday 14 June Big Green Week.  Hopefully in the Abbey Gardens, weather permitting.  Bring friends, family and picnics.  Doors open at 6.00 p.m.  There will be music from around 6.30 and we will start at around 7.00.  NO CHARGE THIS WEEK!  See last week’s flyer

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special for this week too.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  Provisionally 5.00 p.m.  Barton Hill.

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

TODAY Saturday 27 May  Westminster Memorial Hospital Fete.  2.00 – 4.30  See last week’s flyer

Fri 23 and Sat 24 June  Two concerts for Ukraine.  St John’s, Tisbury.  See attached flyer.

Saturday 24 June   Twelfth Night.  Abbey Gardens, Shaftesbury.  See attached flyer.

CAFÉ ESPAÑOL

Conversation, listening,  reading,  translation and fun! 

Coffee and cake  

Sunday 11 June from 11am -  12.30

Manston village hall  DT10 1EX

£15 cash or BACS, message Hazel for details – 07969 465875

FOLK GROUP

See the last week’s info sheet about Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s new folk group.

David

27 May 2023

13 MAY 2023

Another great turn out on Wednesday evening and some really beautiful ensemble singing too.   This coming week we will sing A Place Called England and That Lonesome Road once more (they sounded brilliant last time by the way), hopefully polish Bogoroditse (held over for several weeks now – we’re always running out of time), continue Tree of Life, sing one of our new warm-ups Simply There along with Walk in Beauty and have a look at Simama (new one – words not needed), Shaftesbury’s Delights and Blue Moon.  Words for these last two are attached, words for the others have been attached in recent weeks or are not needed.  Hope to see you there … and maybe with a contribution for the food bank!

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 14 June Big Green Week.  Hopefully in the Abbey Gardens, weather permitting.  Bring friends, family and picnics.  Doors open at 6.00 p.m.  There will be music from around 6.30 and we will start at around 7.00.

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special for this week too.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  Provisionally 5.00 p.m.  Barton Hill.

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

Sunday 14 May  Dorset Bach Cantata Club.  FREE informal performance of three of Bach’s most sparkling cantatas complete with orchestra.  4.00  Sturminster Newton High School

Sunday 21 May  A West Gallery Evensong, St John’s Tisbury.  See last week’s newsletter for details

also

Open Air Music in Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens with Hummingbird  4.00 – 6.00.  See attached flyer.

Friday 26 May  Trifarious Ensemble  7.30 p.m. St Peter’s.  See attached flyer.

THE GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR

A friend has asked me to circulate this info about an afternoon choir in Wincanton.  It meets Mondays in the afternoon at the Memorial Hall, they sing mainly light stuff and reading is not a requirement.   https://www.goodafternoonchoir.org/

FOLK GROUP

Shaftesbury Arts Centre has a lady who is going to start an arts centre folk group at the beginning of next month. It’s a free group, people who come just need to be arts centre members.  See attached flyer.

David

13 May 2023

29 APRIL 2023

The celebration of Steven Ridout’s life in Charlton last Saturday was a really uplifting occasion.  Steven, as well as being a man of many talents of which singing was but one, was clearly much loved and the various tributes paid to him were deeply moving.  The choir’s contribution was much appreciated and we thank Ann not only for inviting us to be  part of the celebration but for her generous donation to choir funds, card and the two boxes of luxury biscuits which we enjoyed last Wednesday. There will be a collection at choir for the Dorset Air Ambulance over the next couple of weeks – Ann Ridout’s chosen charity.

 

Singing was fun last week and it was good to revisit some old friends as well as to reacquaint ourselves with some of our newer repertoire.  This coming week we will consolidate That Lonesome Road and Bogoroditse (both held over from last time), polish Circle of Life and A Little Bit of Love, and have a look at Heart to Heart, April Rain Song* and Wake Up* along with I am a River (a new one) and Tongo as warm-ups.  Words for those marked * are attached, words for the others have been attached in recent weeks or are not needed.  Really hope to see you there.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Monday 1 May (BANK HOLIDAY) Short informal concert for the “Creating our Future” fundraising day at Shaftesbury Arts Centre (see attachment).  4.00 p.m.  Meet in St Peter’s at 3.00 for warm-up and a quick run through of the songs we will be singing.  All will be well known and will include some for audience participation.  Do support this – take up from sopranos in particular was a bit disappointing.   Usual dress code.  (We will dedicate one of our songs to the memory of Jette (soprano) whose touching funeral several of us attended yesterday.)                                                                                 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 14 June Big Green Week.  Hopefully in the Abbey Gardens, weather permitting.

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special for this week too.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  Provisionally 5.00 p.m.  Barton Hill.

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

 

 

OTHER EVENTS – LOTS HAPPENING

TODAY Saturday 29 April  Wessex Strings.  FREE lunchtime concert as part of the Sherborne Abbey Festival. 1.30 pm, Cheap Street church.  See last week’s flyer.

Sat 29 Apr – Sun 7 May   Walking Distance – a celebration of nature, footpaths and getting lost.  Rachel Sargeant (painting and prints)  Semley Village Hall.  See attached flyer

Sunday 7 May  Dream of Gerontius.  Gillingham Methodist Church.   What a coup!  See attached flyer or speak to Mike (bass).

Monday 8 May The Byzant Ceremony  Come and watch or even take part in this revival of Shaftesbury’s ancient tradition.  See  attached flyer.

Tuesday 9 May The Creation Quartet - Haydn, Dvorak and Schubert.   St Peters at 7pm.   Tickets from the Arts Centre box office (under 18s free) or at the door. Wine and juice bar.   See earlier flyer

Friday 12 May  One Man and his Cow (ArtsReach) Cranborne Memorial Hall  and also at other venues locally. See earlier flyer.

Sunday 21 May  A West Gallery Evensong, St John’s Tisbury.  See attached info sheet.

CREATING OUT FUTURE – MONDAY 1 MAY  ARTS CENTRE  10.00 – 5.00

Monday at Shaftesbury Arts Centre, a fun filled day of events to kickstart the fundraising for their fantastic re-development project. THE SECRET POSTCARD SALE includes original art by local artists and celebrities. See attached flyer for a taste of what is arriving at the Arts Centre, donated in support of the Arts in Shaftesbury. Each postcard costs the same and you cannot be sure who has made what until after you have bought it. Some will surprise you! Starting at 10 am along with lots of other activities! 

David

29 April 2023

22 APRIL 2023

We were a bit thin on the ground on Wednesday but the singing was absolutely great and things bode very well indeed for this afternoon when some of us will be singing for the celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  We put the finishing touches 500 Miles, Ukrainian Easter Carol, Our Choir and Shaftesbury’s Delights and although we lost our way towards the end of That Lonesome Road, that was, in part, due to reduced numbers when it came to splitting the voices.  We’ll get this right next time I’m sure.  This coming week we will consolidate That Lonesome Road and Bogoroditse and have a look at Go Placidly*, Circle of Life*, A little Bit of Love* and Say, Say Yes* along with Ooh la la lay and To walk along this shore as warm-ups.  Words for those marked * are attached, words for the others have been attached in recent weeks or are not needed.  Really hope to see you there.

 

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

TODAY Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Charlton Hall.  We will be singing 500 Miles, Follow the Heron, We Got All the Love and (probably) I’m Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing. Please arrive at 2.00 for a 2.30 start.  Usual dress code (shades of red above the waist [no patterns], dark or black below).

Monday 1 May (BANK HOLIDAY) Short informal concert for the fundraising day at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  4.00 p.m.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 14 June Big Green Week.  Hopefully in the Abbey Gardens, weather permitting.

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special for this week too.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  Provisionally 5.00 p.m.  Barton Hill.

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS – LOTS HAPPENING

TONIGHT Saturday 22 April   For the Beauty of the Earth – a celebration of Earth Day.    Gillingham Singers.  7.30 p.m. East Stour Church.  See last week’s flyer.  Lots of well known faces who would love your support.

Sunday 23 April Fonthill House Open Garden Music Alfresco – see earlier flyer.

Saturday 29 April  Wessex Strings.  Free lunchtime concert as part of the Sherborne Abbey Festival. 1.30 pm, Cheap Street church.  See attached flyer.

Tuesday 25 April  An evening with Vera Ryan (ex D’Oyly Carte Opera)  Gillingham Library  7.00 p.m. See attached flyer.  Gillingham Library is a great little venue by the way.

Sunday 7 May  Dream of Gerontius.  Gillingham Methodist Church.   What a coup!  For my money, one of the greatest choral works ever written!  See earlier flyer or speak to Mike (bass).

Tuesday 9 May The Creation Quartet - Haydn, Dvorak and Schubert.   St Peters at 7pm.   Tickets from the Arts Centre box office (under 18s free) or at the door. Wine and juice bar.   See earlier flyer

Friday 12 May  One Man and his Cow (ArtsReach tour) Cranborne Memorial Hall  and also at other venues locally. See attached flyer.

David

22 April 2023

15 APRIL 2023

That last half hour on Wednesday proved more of a marathon than we expected so maybe we should have a bit of a re-think.  The extra time for socializing was great of course but we do need to make sure we are consolidating the songs we are learning too.  Karen and I will probably aim for a 9.15 finish this coming week to split the difference and see how that works.  PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CUPS / MUGS.  This coming week we will do 500 Miles, We Got All the Love and Follow the Heron in readiness for our performance next Saturday, and consolidate That Lonesome Road, Bogoroditse, Shaftesbury’s Delights and the Ukrainian Easter hymn.  Really hope to see you there.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Charlton Hall.  We will be singing 500 Miles, Follow the Heron, We Got All the Love and (maybe) I’m Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing. Do make EVERY EFFORT to join us.  Ann writes: the plan is to get everyone seated with a glass for the toast by 2.30. Speeches shouldn't take too long and then choir sing.  Then food/beverages, cream tea and cake with tea/coffee all of which will be served buffet style.

Monday 1 May (BANK HOLIDAY) Fundraising day at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  More details soon.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  Provisionally 5.00 p.m.  Barton Hill.

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

TONIGHT Saturday 15 April  Spinning the Moon - Dorchester’s 7th community play. (Last performance) Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester.  See earlier flyer.  I went last night – it’s absolutely magnificent.

ALSO

Dakhabrakha – world famous Ukrainian band.  7.30 p.m. Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis.  See attached flyer.

Sunday 16 April COME AND LEARN SONGS AND CHANTS TO BE SUNG AT THE BIG ONE 21st – 24th  April 11 am -12.30 pm   Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  See attached flyer

Saturday 22 April   For the Beauty of the Earth  Gillingham Singers.  7.30 p.m. East Stour Church.  See attached flyer.

Sunday 23 April Fonthill House Open Garden Music Alfresco – (see earlier flyer)

Sunday 7 May  Dream of Gerontius.  Gillingham Methodist Church.   What a coup!  For my money, one of the greatest choral works ever written!  See earlier flyer or speak to Mike (bass).

Tuesday 9 May The Creation Quartet - Haydn, Dvorak and Schubert.   St Peters at 7pm.   Tickets from the Arts Centre box office (under 18s free) or at the door. Wine and juice bar.   See earlier flyer

David

15 April 2023

8 APRIL 2023

More good singing last week.  500 Miles is sounding pretty confident now (only one more bar to learn!) as is the middle section of Lonesome Road.  As from next week choir will run from 7.30 – 9.30 as it used to in pre-Covid days, which will give us more time for consolidating things and, most importantly, more time for socializing.  Tea and coffee will be available (no charge) as well as biscuits of course, but PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CUPS / MUGS.  This coming week we will do 500 Miles and Follow the Heron, aim to finish That Lonesome Road and Bogoroditse (there are only a few bars left to do), polish Shaftesbury’s Delights and Our Choir, and, with luck, complete the Ukrainian Easter hymn, together with I’m Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing as a warm-up.  Hope to see you there.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Charlton Hall.  We will be singing 500 Miles, Follow the Heron, We Got All the Love and (maybe) I’m Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing. Do make EVERY EFFORT to join us.  Ann writes: the plan is to get everyone seated with a glass for the toast by 2.30. Speeches shouldn't take too long and then choir sing.  Then food/beverages, cream tea and cake with tea/coffee all of which will be served buffet style.

Monday 1 May (BANK HOLIDAY) Fundraising day at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  More details soon.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  Provisionally 5.00 p.m.  Barton Hill.

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

NOW SHOWING Tues 4 – Sat 15 April  Spinning the Moon - Dorchester’s 7th community play.  Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester.  See earlier flyer.  (Tess [alto] and her husband Mark are both involved.  Music by ex-Shastonian Tim Laycock.)

Sunday 23 April Fonthill House Open Garden Music Alfresco – (see earlier flyer)

Sunday 7 May  Dream of Gerontius.  Gillingham Methodist Church.   What a coup!  For my money, one of the greatest choral works ever written!  See earlier flyer or speak to Mike (bass).

Tuesday 9 May The Creation Quartet (lovely young string quartet) will have just received a master class with Michael Bochman (who, I am told, transforms good music into exceptional music!) and then coming to Shaftesbury to perform the pieces - Haydn, Dvorak and Schubert.   St Peters at 7pm.   Tickets from the Arts Centre box office (under 18s free) or at the door. Wine and juice bar.   See attached flyer

Happy Easter

David

8 April 2023

STOP PRESS

Pop-up bread shop on Saturdays at the Grosvenor.  Fantastic bread from At the Chapel, Bruton.  See attached flyer.

I APRIL 2023

Last week’s session was particularly jolly, all the more uplifting as it was such a filthy evening, and it was really lovely to see people socializing during our extended biscuit break.  Thanks to Claire (alto) for reminding me we hadn’t had a Badge Wednesday for ages.  Time seemed to run away with us and although we worked hard and covered a lot of ground we certainly didn’t do everything we had intended.  Shaftesbury’s Delights and 500 Miles still need consolidation and polish, there are a few bars Bogoroditse left to do and we completely ran out of time when it came to looking That Lonesome Road, Our Choir and the Ukrainian Easter hymn – words attached last week.  With luck, we will do all of these this coming week together with We Got All the Love as a warm-up.  Hope to see you there.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall.

Monday 1 May (BANK HOLIDAY) Fundraising day at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  More details soon.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

THIS WEEKEND Saturday 1 April Come & Sing in Fordingbridge,  Mendelssohn Hymn of Praise and a piece we know well, Rachmaninov (Bogoroditse) -  it’s his 150th birthday!   A bargain with tea and cake included.  See last week’s flyer.

Sunday 2 April (Palm Sunday)  Come with me – a refreshingly different service with quite a number of familiar faces at St John’s, Enmore Green.  6.00 p,m.  See last week’s flyer.

Tues 4 – Sat 15 April  Spinning the Moon - Dorchester’s 7th community play.  Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester.  See earlier flyer.  (Tess [alto] and her husband Mark are both involved.  Music by ex-Shastonian Tim Laycock.)

Sunday 23 April Fonthill House Open Garden Music Alfresco – (see earlier flyer)

Sunday 7 May  Dream of Gerontius.  Gillingham Methodist Church.   What a coup!  For my money, one of the greatest choral works ever written!  See attached flyer

David

1 April 2023

25 MARCH 2023

Yet another great turn out last Wednesday with lots of great singing. We‘ve now completed Shaftesbury’s Delights and 500 Miles – all that remains is to consolidate and polish.  This coming week we will work on these, finish learning / polishing That Lonesome Road, Our Choir and Bogoroditse and make a start on a Ukrainian Easter hymn – words attached.  We will also do Simply There as our warm-up once more together with Bamba Lela.     Please print the Ukrainian hymn out yourselves if you possibly can.   The words of the others, where needed, have all been attached in recent weeks …

… and don’t forget, next week will be having BADGE WEDNESDAY.  Please come wearing a name badge and get to know a few more people.  (Sticky labels available for those who forget!)

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall.

Monday 1 May (BANK HOLIDAY) Fundraising day at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  More details soon.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

THIS WEEKEND Sat 25 – Sun 26 March Sculpture exhibition CONGREGATION at The Chapel, Tuckingmill, Tisbury SP3 6JB  12 - 4pm.  Karen is improvising 2-3pm both days.  Press release attached.

also

Saturday 25 March  Rolling Harmony at Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon.  Stupendous vocal group and well worth the trip.  See attached flyer.

also

Sunday 26 March  Shaftesbury Orchestra.  Beethoven and Offenbach.  2.30 p.m. St James Church.  ADMISSION FREE.  See last week’s flyer.

Saturday 1 April Come & Sing in Fordingbridge,  Mendelssohn Hymn of Praise and a piece we know well, Rachmaninov (Bogoroditse) -  it’s his 150th birthday!   A bargain with tea and cake included.  See last week’s flyer.

Sunday 2 April (Palm Sunday)  Come with me – a refreshingly different service with quite a number of familiar faces at St John’s, Enmore Green.  6.00 p,.m.  See last week’s flyer.

Tues 4 – Sat 15 April  Spinning the Moon - Dorchester’s 7th community play.  Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester.  See earlier flyer.  (Tess [alto] and her husband Mark are both involved.  Music by ex-Shastonian Tim Laycock.)

Sunday 23 April Fonthill House Open Garden Music Alfresco – (see earlier flyer)

David

25 March 2023

PS Don’t forget the clocks go forward an hour tonight!

18 MARCH 2023

A great turn out last Wednesday, a lot of hard work and a lot of great singing. We made real progress with Shaftesbury’s Delights and 500 Miles in particular.  This coming week we will finish learning both of these along with That Lonesome Road, Our Choir and Bogoroditse – all held over from last time.  We will do Oak of Old, as our warm-up once more and have a look at another new one – Simply There.   You won’t need words for Simply There; the words of the others, where needed, have all been attached in recent weeks.   Please print them out yourselves if you possibly can.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall.

Monday 1 May (BANK HOLIDAY) Fundraising day at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  More details soon.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

TODAY  Saturday 18 March  Rhyme and Rhythm.  Listen to poetry from local poet Marigold Rumble, and piano music from yours truly while enjoying a delicious cream tea.  3.00 p.m. St Peter’s Church.

Sat – Sun 18/19 March  Coracle (ArtsReach)  Karen and Co in Milborne St Andrew and Burton Bradstock See https://artsreach.co.uk/event/coracle

Sunday 26 March  Shaftesbury Orchestra.  Beethoven and Offenbach.  2.30 p.m. St James Church.  ADMISSION FREE.  See attached flyer.

Saturday 1 April Come & Sing in Fordingbridge,  Mendelssohn Hymn of Praise and a piece we know well, Rachmaninov (Bogoroditse) -  it’s his 150th birthday!   A bargain with tea and cake included.  See attached flyer.

Sunday 2 April (Palm Sunday)  Come with me – a refreshingly different service with quite a number of familiar faces at St John’s, Enmore Green.  6.00 p,.m.  See attached flyer.

Tues 4 – Sat 15 April Spinning the Moon - Dorchester’s 7th community play.  Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester.  See earlier flyer.  (Tess [alto] and her husband Mark are both involved.  Music by ex-Shastonian Tim Laycock.)

Sunday 23 April Fonthill House Open Garden Music Alfresco – (see last week’s flyer)

David

18 March 2023

5 MARCH 2023

A particularly jolly session last week I thought.  It was great to re-visit Bogoroditse after so long – special thanks to Halyna for help with the pronunciation. This coming week we will look at the next section, continue with Shaftesbury Delights, polish Don’t Worry Be Happy (do download the “order of events” for this song if you are confused as to what to sing and when to sing it!) make a start on 500 Miles which Ann Ridout has specially requested for her late husband’s celebration party on 22nd April and have a look at That Lonesome Road (held over for a couple of weeks now) along with Ceremony Boogie and Sithi Shwele / A Yele as warm-ups.   Words of 500 Miles are attached along with the structure of Don’t Worry. The words of the others, where needed, have been attached over the last few weeks. Please print them out yourselves if you possibly can.

REFRESHMENT BREAK

We are considering re-introducing a longer refreshment break when the clocks change.  This would give more time for socializing and enable us to have teas and coffees once more.  For Covid precautions as well as for practical reasons you would need to bring your own mug.  Choir would then run until 9.30 rather than 9.00 or thereabouts.  Do give it some thought and if you have any strong views, let us know next week.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall.

Monday 1 May (BANK HOLIDAY) Fundraising day at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  More details soon.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

TODAY Saturday 4 March FOR THE LOVE OF SONG with Sarah Pennington. Venue: Village Hall, Cranborne, BH21 5QB Time: 10.30am – 4.30pm Cost: £30

also

Saturday 4 March  Pater Noster.  Farrant Singers  St Thomas’ Church, Salisbury.  See earlier flyer.

Saturday 11 March  Harmonium.  6.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m.  Trinity Centre, Shaftesbury.  New music by Karen and others performed by Palida Choir.  See attached flyer

also

An Evening with Nicola Chester.  See earlier flyer.

also

RockForte – an evening of rockin’, rollin’ and dancin’.  Victoria Hall, Tisbury.  See attached flyer.

Saturday 18 March  Rhyme and Rhythm.  Listen to poetry from local poet Marigold Rumble, and piano music from yours truly while enjoying a delicious cream tea.  3.00 p.m. St Peter’s Church.  Tickets £6.00 from TIC or sign up on the sheet at the back of the church or simply roll up on the day.

Sat – Sun 18/19 March  Coracle (ArtsReach)  Karen and Co in Milborne St Andrew and Burton Bradstock See https://artsreach.co.uk/event/coracle

Tues 4 – Sat 15 April  Spinning the Moon - Dorchester’s 7th community play.  Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester.  See earlier flyer.  (Tess [alto] and her husband Mark are both involved.  Music by ex-Shastonian Tim Laycock.)

David

4 March 2023

PS Don’t forget the Food Bank.

18 FEBRUARY 2023

More great singing last week and some really good progress too. This coming week we will continue learning Shaftesbury Delights (held over from last time), polish Our Choir, Say Say Yes and Don’t Worry Be Happy [see STOP PRESS below] and have a look at Go Placidly and That Lonesome Road together with Balanced Be the Way and Rongo Mau as warm-ups. You won’t need the words for Balanced be the Way or Rongo Mau, Go Placidly and That Lonesome Road are attached while the words of the others have been attached over the last few weeks.  Please print them out yourselves if you possibly can.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

TODAY Saturday 18 February  11 - 4.30. Springhead Gardens open.   Entrance is free but they would appreciate a donation for the charity.  The Friends of Springhead would love to see you there

Saturday 25 February Live opera in … wait for it … Henstridge!!!!  La Grotte de Versailles by Lully.  3.00 p.m.  FREE  See attached flyer.

Wednesday 1 March 7.30, Concert by the talented young musicians of Bryanston School.  St Peter’s Church.  Tickets £10 or £8  (for members in advance) and the under 18s, from the Arts Centre box office or on the door.  See attached flyer.

Saturday 4 March FOR THE LOVE OF SONG with Sarah Pennington.Venue: Village Hall, Cranborne, Dorset, BH21 5QB Time: 10.30am – 4.30pmCost: £30 on the day / £25 if booked and paid by 25th February  Email: info@joyousisle.com Tel: 01202 885294 or 01258 840097

Saturday 4 March  Pater Noster Farrant singers  St Thomas’ Church, Salisbury.  See attached flyer.

Tues 4 – Sat 15 April  Spinning the Moon - Dorchester’s 7th community play.  Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester.  See earlier flyer.  (Tess [alto] and her husband Mark are both involved.  Music by ex-Shastonian Tim Laycock.)

July  Orchestral course in Sicily for musicians of Grade VII and above.  All instruments.  This comes highly recommended.  Contact Peter Fender:  info@sicilymusicholiday.com

David

18 February 2023

STOP PRESS

There is a wonderfully life-affirming version of Don’t Worry Be Happy on Youtube.  Find it at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWXUWepSak4   You’re in for a real treat.  The melody and most of the accompaniment is what is known as penatatonic.  For a novel take on this (by Bobby McFerrin who wrote the song) click on www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne6tB2KiZuk  Thanks Elinor (tenor) for the link.

11 FEBRUARY 2023

Good to see Nicki Hall from Open House / Foodbank this week and to hear what she had to say.  She brought a number of leaflets with her, copies of which are attached in case you weren’t there or forgot to pick one up. 

This coming week we will continue learning Our Choir and Shaftesbury Delights (held over from last time), polish Say Say Yes, Don’t Worry Be Happy and Wade in the Water, all of which are sounding good already, together with Love is Here and Good News Chariot’s Comin’ as warm-ups. You won’t need the words of these last two while the words of the others have been attached over the last couple of weeks.  Please print them out yourselves if you possibly can.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

TOMORROW Sunday 12 February  Dorset Bach Cantata Club.  FREE informal concert, with orchestra, of Bach Cantatas Nos. 4 and 64.  Sturminster Newton School 4.30 p.m.

Tues 4 – Sat 15 April  Spinning the Moon - Dorchester’s 7th community play.  Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester.  See attached flyer.  (Tess [alto] and her husband Mark are both involved.  Music by ex-Shastonian Tim Laycock.)

July  Orchestral course in Sicily for musicians of Grade VII and above.  All instruments.  This comes highly recommended.  Contact Peter Fender:  info@sicilymusicholiday.com

FRIENDS OF SPRINGHEAD

The gardens will be open today and tomorrow and again on Saturday 18 from 11 - 4.30.  Entrance is free but they would appreciate a donation for the charity.  Light refreshments will be available on 11 and 12 February provided by, and in aid of, Andrew's School, Fontmell Magna.  They would love to see you there.

FOOD BANK

See attached fliers. Let’s give it all the support we can.

David

4 FEBRUARY 2023

Looking forward to being with you all on Wednesday.  This coming week we will continue learning Our Choir, Say, Say Yes, Shaftesbury Delights and Don’t Worry Be Happy, recap our two gospel songs (Wade in the Water and Where Shall I be?) along with Cry heart and Bela Mama as warm-ups. You won’t need the words of these last three while the words of the others have been attached over the last couple of weeks.  Please print them out yourselves if you possibly can.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall.

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  We hope to arrange something extra special.  Watch this space.

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens

OTHER EVENTS

TODAY Saturday 4 February  Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s “Nativity – the Musical”.  Lots of well-known faces.   Last two performances today (2.30 and 7.30)

ALSO

TODAY Saturday 4 February  Pasture and Storms.  Celebrating left hand alone virtuoso pianists.  6.00 – 8.00 p.m. Tickets are £8/10 and there will be drinks and snacks in the interval! See earlier flier.  also https://shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk/events/pasture-storm-a-celebration-of-left-hand-alone-virtuoso-pianists/

Sunday 12 February  Dorset Bach Cantata Club.  FREE informal concert, with orchestra, of Bach Cantatas Nos. 4 and 64.  Sturminster Newton School 4.30 p.m.

Tues 4 – Sat 15 April  Spinning the Moon - Dorchester’s 7th community play.  Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester.  See attached flyer.  (Tess [alto] and her husband Mark are both involved.  Music by ex-Shastonian Tim Laycock.)

July  Orchestral course in Sicily for musicians of Grade VII and above.  All instruments.  This comes highly recommended.  Contact Peter Fender:  info@sicilymusicholiday.com

FRIENDS OF SPRINGHEAD

The weather is looking clear, if perhaps a little chilly, for Springhead’s open gardens next week.   The gardens will be open Monday 6 February-Sunday 12 between 11-3 and again on Saturday 18 from 11-4.30.  Entrance is free but they would appreciate a donation for the charity.  Light refreshments will be available on 11 and 12 February provided by, and in aid of, St Andrew's School, Fontmell Magna.  They would love to see you there.

FOOD BANK

This is still up and running – let’s give it all the support we can.

David

22 JANUARY 2023

Although we have no performances planned for the immediate future I can confirm that we have our usual spot in the Abbey Gardens for the Shaftesbury Fringe, Sunday 23rd July at 11.15 a.m.  Put it in your diaries NOW!    Gold Hill Fair arrangements are still to be confirmed.  This coming week we will be singing Cry Heart once more, polishing Drive the Cold Winter Away, continuing our new song Shaftesbury Delights, making a start on When I was One and Twenty and Where Shall I Be (held over from last time) together with We Wish You Joy to welcome in the Chinese Year of the Rabbit.  No words are needed for Where Shall I Be and Cry Heart; the others were attached last time or the week before.  Please do print them out yourselves if you possibly can. 

COMING CHOIR EVENTS  

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall. 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd 

Saturday / Sunday 1 & 2 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd   

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens 

OTHER EVENTS  

Sunday 22 January  Chinese New Year Celebration  See attached flier. 

Thurs 26 Jan – Sat 4 Feb  Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s “Nativity – the Musical”.  Do give the show your support.  Lots of well-known faces. 

Sunday 29 January Salisbury Baroque concert 3pm St Peter’s. See earlier flyer 

Saturday 4 February  Pasture and Storms.  Celebrating left hand alone virtuoso pianists.  See earlier flier. 

July  Orchestral course in Sicily for musicians of Grade VII and above.  All instruments.  This comes highly recommended.  Contact Peter Fender:  info@sicilymusicholiday.com 

FOOD BANK 

This is still up and running – let’s give it all the support we can. 

Happy Year of the Rabbit to everyone. 

David 

14 JANUARY 2023

What a brilliant start to the New Year.  Great singing and a great turn-out.  Marvellous.  I am attaching a photo of Marie and me together with newlyweds Pam and Peter who met at Community Choir and who were married last week.  We wish them every happiness.  This coming week we will be polishing Gloucester Wassail (see below), continuing Joyful Mysteries and Drive the Cold Winter Away, making a start on When I was One and Twenty, Where Shall I Be and Cry Heart (all held over from last time) together with a new song, Shaftesbury Delights, by Karen and Richard (tenor) and Listen as our warm-up.  No words are needed for Listen, Where Shall I Be and Cry Heart, Richard and Karen’s song will follow shortly and the others were attached last time.  Please do print them out yourselves if you possibly can. 

COMING CHOIR EVENTS  

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall. 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd 

Saturday / Sunday 1 & 2 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd   

Fri 21 – Sun 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   tbd 

OTHER EVENTS  

Sunday 15 January  If you’ve enjoyed the Gloucester Wassail and if, like, Tom Durfey, you are in need of a further pill to purge melancholy, there is wassailing TOMORROW in Donkey Field Orchard, halfway down Church Hill, Enmore Green.  3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.  Take a little money to buy a bit of seasonal fare. Hot cider and Morris dancing on Church Hill too.  Leader is Joe Hashman -I have no doubt that he will encourage us all to sing! 

Thurs 19 – Fri 20 January  Artsreach is excited to welcome New England based Windborne to Dorset on Thursday 19th January to Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall and Friday 20th January to Morden Village Hall.   Hailed as the most exciting vocal group in a generation, this is a fantastic opportunity to hear their wonderful harmonies and even join them in a vocal harmony workshop at Wootton Fitzpaine, ahead of the show. See attached flier. 

Thurs 26 Jan – Sat 4 Feb  Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s “Nativity – the Musical”.  Do give the show your support.  Lots of well-known faces. 

Sunday 29 January Salisbury Baroque concert 3pm St Peter’s. See last wek’s flyer 

Saturday 4 February  Pasture and Storms.  Celebrating left hand alone virtuoso pianists.  See last week’s flier. 

July  Orchestral course in Sicily for musicians of Grade VII and above.  All instruments.  This comes highly recommended.  Contact Peter Fender:  info@sicilymusicholiday.com

FOOD BANK 

This is still up and running – let’s give it all the support we can. 

THE HAMMOUD KITCHEN – AUTHENTIC SYRIAN CUISINE 

Karen and Julia both recommend the food prepared by one of our Syrian families here in Shaftesbury.  If you feel you've cooked at least one dish too many, Samar and Amar Hammoud are very happy to relieve your burden with delicious food at very reasonable cost. Their menu is attached. They'll deliver to your door and just need 24 hours notice. 

David 

14, January 2023 

7 JANUARY 2023

Happy New Year one and all.  Karen and I are looking forward to seeing you this coming Wednesday for the start of another year of fun, camaraderie and joyful singing.  This week we will be singing Viva la musica, Joyful Mysteries (although opening verses are about the birth of Jesus the remaining one isn’t and, anyway, it is a really lovely song), Gloucester Wassail, May your cup / We wish you joy, Drive the cold winter away, When I was one and twenty, Where shall I be and Cry heart but do not break.  No words are needed for Viva, Where shall I be and Cry heart. The words for the others are attached.  Please do print them out yourselves if you possibly can. 

COMING CHOIR EVENTS  

Wednesday 11 January  Choir resumes 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall. 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  tbd 

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair  tbd   

Fri 21 – Sun 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   tbd 

OTHER EVENTS  

Thurs 19 – Fri 20 January  Artsreach is excited to welcome New England based Windborne to Dorset on Thursday 19th January to Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall and Friday 20th January to Morden Village Hall.   Hailed as the most exciting vocal group in a generation, this is a  fantastic opportunity to hear their wonderful harmonies and even join them in a vocal harmony workshop at Wootton Fitzpaine, ahead of the show. See attached flier. 

Thurs 26 Jan – Sat 4 Feb  Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s “Nativity – the Musical”.  Do give it your support.  Lots of well-known faces. 

Sunday 29 January Salisbury Baroque concert 3pm St Peter’s. See attached flyer 

Saturday 4 February  Pasture and Storms.  Celebrating left hand alone virtuoso pianists.  See attached flier. 

July  Orchestral course in Sicily for musicians of Grade VII and above.  All instruments.  This comes highly recommended.  Contact Peter Fender:  info@sicilymusicholiday.com 

David 

17 DECEMBER 2022

Firstly,  a big thankyou to those of you who braved the cold last Saturday afternoon to sing by the Christmas tree outside the Town Hall.  It seems such a long time ago.  With one notable exception, I think we sounded pretty good, and certainly Keri (This is Alfred) was very happy with our performance.  Check out our website for photos.     

I hope many of you will join Karen and me for the Motcombe Donkey Procession tomorrow Sunday (18th).  Please arrive at the Coppleridge (SP7 9HW) ready to start walking and singing at 6.00. The walk ends at the Motcombe Memorial Hall (SP7 9NT) for more singing and seasonal refreshments.  You will, of course, need to walk back to wherever you have left your car and so it might be sensible to bring a torch. Alternatively, you could team up with friends so that you have transport at both ends.   If the weather is really grim, the procession will be cancelled and we will simply gather in the Motcombe Memorial Hall for carol singing, mulled wine etc. at 6.00.  I will e-mail you all by 5. 00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon if that is going to be the case. In either case, the words of the carols we will be singing are attached for you to print out.  Copies will also be available beforehand.  The good folk of Motcombe are very generous when it comes to supporting the choir and it would be lovely if we could support them in return.  TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND LET’S TRY AND GET ANOTHER GOOD CROWD OF CAROLLERS.  DON’T LET THE WEATHER DETER YOU. 

We will meet as usual this coming Wednesday of course when we will be having our Christmas Party with fun, games, seasonal refreshments and more festive singing. All the words of our songs have been attached in recent weeks.  PLEASE PRINT THEM OUT YOURSELF IF YOU ARE ABLE.  Following the party we will be having a couple of weeks off and will resume on Wednesday 11 January. 

Carol singing at The Cedars, Angel Lane 

We have been asked if members of the choir would like to join the St Johns’ Occasional Singers at The Cedars Residential Home in Shaftesbury on Thursday 22nd at 3.00 p.m. to sing some standard carols for and with the residents.  Please let me know if you would like to join the merry company – it should be fun.  

COMING CHOIR EVENTS  

2022 

TOMORROW  Sunday 18 December Motcombe Christmas procession (carols + band + donkey) Please note that it is now 6 o’clock.  Words attached. 

Wednesday 21 December  Choir Christmas Party 

Thursday 22 December  Carol singing at The Cedars, Angel Lane (see above) 

2023 

Wednesday 11 January  Choir resumes 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete 

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair 

OTHER EVENTS  

Saturday 4 February  Pasture and Storms.  Celebrating left hand alone virtuoso pianists.  More details in the New Year, but in the meantime have a look at https://shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk/events/pasture-storm-a-celebration-of-left-hand-alone-virtuoso-pianists/ 

CHRISTMAS FOODBANK  

Our last chance to keep the trolley filled to overflowing!  The organisers are particularly asking for boxes of savoury crackers, Christmas puddings, jams and spreads, Christmas chocolates and crisps, non-alcoholic drinks, boxes of Christmas crackers, other Christmas treats. 

TWO GREAT YOUTUBE CLIPS 

Monica (alto) has sent us the link to this Ukrainian lullaby along with a piece we all know well. 

Several members of the Dorchester based Quangle Wangle choir are taking part. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vkThOmajwcI&feature=youtu.be 

… and Jackie (tenor) sent this link:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhxWordOII  

It is a really beautiful carol by Will Todd (of “Call of Wisdom” fame) 

 DAVID

3 DECEMBER 2022

Another brilliant effort on Wednesday.   

Looking forward to seeing most (if not all) of you this Sunday in the Abbey Gardens on Park Walk ready for a good sing.  Please arrive shortly before 2.15 ready to start at 2.30.  AND TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TOO.  LET’S TRY AND GET A GOOD CROWD OF CAROLLERS 

Dress Code: Shades of red above the waist (no patterns please), dark or black below.  Make sure you are WARM though … that’s every bit as important as looking good!   

Programme: (in no particular order) Fais Dodo, Christmas is Coming, Come tune your cheerful voice, Carol of the Bells, Ding Dong, Hosanna, Cherry Tree Carol + O Little Town, Silent Night, While Shepherds watched (jolly tune), In the bleak, Away in a manger, Joy to the world.  

I will have Bethlehem Carol Sheets with me and hopefully members of our audience will join in the well-known carols.  I had an interview about our programme with This is Alfred on Thursday but hopefully that will not have driven away too many would-be punters.   

 

We will meet as usual this coming Wednesday of course for more festive singing and then the following week we will be having our Christmas Party.  More info next week, but if you have a suitable item you would like to offer as part of the entertainment please let me know and I can sort out a short programme. (Nothing too long please.) Following the party we will be having a couple of weeks off and will resume on Wednesday 11 January. 

COMING CHOIR EVENTS  

2022 

Sunday 4 December  Singing in Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens.  2.30 – 3.15 

Saturday 10 December Singing outside Town Hall  2.30 – 3.15 

Sunday 18 December Motcombe Christmas procession (carols + donkey) 5pm (alongside the band).   

Wednesday 21 December  Choir Christmas Party 

2023 

Wednesday 11 January  Choir resumes 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete 

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair 

OTHER EVENTS  

until Tuesday 6 December Pergaudeo III, exhibition at Shaftesbury Arts Centre. 10 – 4 daily.  Seven abstract artists celebrate their love of the genre in different styles and mediums. Expect colour, quirkiness, thoughtfulness; a feast for the eyes. See last week’s flyer.   

TODAY Saturday 3 December  A Christmas Carol – music, poetry and prose for the festive season.  3.00 p.m. St James’ Church. The one-hour concert in aid of Read Easy will consist of Christmas music on the organ, trumpet, recorder, carols and readings.  There will be a collection on leaving.  See earlier flyer. 

also 

Gillingham Singers Christmas Concert.  St Mary’s Church, Gillingham.  7.30 p.m. See last week’s flyer.  Lots of familiar faces so do come if you can 

Sunday 4 December  Light up the World.  Pilgrim Singers in Wincanton. 6.30 p.m.  See earlier flier. 

Friday 9 December  Nöel – a concert by candlelight.  St Peter's.  See last week’s flyer.  There are only 50 seats available so if you’d like to come along do book your seat in advance via this link:  https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/alex-wilson/t-qjmzyme  The concert has a suggested £10 donation but you are welcome to come along for free. 

Saturday 10 December    Palida and Sturminster Choral Society.  Britten’s Ceremony of Carols + other treats.  St Mary’s, Sturminster Newton.   See last week’s flyer 

Sunday 11 December  Shaftesbury Orchestra at St James Church.  3.00 pm  See earlier flier. 

Friday 16 December Christmas Cheer Carols, Readings, and a Mummers Play performed by the fantastic Gillingham Arts Workshop.  5.15 – 6.15  Gillingham Library.  See attached flyer.

and looking further ahead 

2023 

Saturday 4 February  Pasture and Storms.  Celebrating left hand alone virtuoso pianists.  More details later, but have a look at https://shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk/events/pasture-storm-a-celebration-of-left-hand-alone-virtuoso-pianists/ 

CHRISTMAS FOODBANK  

Keep our trolley filled to overflowing!  The organisers are particularly asking for boxes of savoury crackers, Christmas puddings, jams and spreads, Christmas chocolates and crisps, non-alcoholic drinks, boxes of Christmas crackers, other Christmas treats. 

THE RED KALYNA 

Don’t miss the chance of hearing this BBC broadcast about the huge significance of the song for the Ukrainian people.  We’ll be singing it again early in the New Year of course. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001fm2r?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile 

David

25 NOVEMBER 2022

Brilliant effort on Wednesday.  It was possibly a bit of a slog for some of you (and a bit cold too perhaps) but we are more or less on target for our Christmas programme. As you know, we have three events planned as well as our party (see “Coming Events” below) so do please make every effort to turn up ready for a good sing.  This coming Wednesday we will be back in the Town Hall where plan to polish Carol of the Bells, Hosanna, Come tune your cheerful voice and Fais Dodo, continue Christmas is Coming + The Cherry Tree Carol, learn Ding Dong, and sing a couple more standard carols too of course.  As ever, something for everyone we hope.  There are no words for Hosanna while words for the others have been attached in recent weeks. Although we will have some sets of words with us, please do print them out yourselves if you possibly can.    

COMING CHOIR EVENTS  

2022 

Sunday 4 December  Singing in Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens.  2.30 – 3.15 

Saturday 10 December Singing outside Town Hall  2.30 – 3.15 

Sunday 18 December Motcombe Christmas procession (carols + donkey) 5pm (alongside the band).   

Wednesday 21 December  Choir Christmas Party 

2023 

Saturday 22 April Celebration of the life of Steven Ridout.  Afternoon.  Charlton Hall 

Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete 

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Fair 

OTHER EVENTS  

until Tuesday 6 December Pergaudeo III, exhibition at Shaftesbury Arts Centre. 10 – 4 daily.  Seven abstract artists celebrate their love of the genre in different styles and mediums. Expect colour, quirkiness, thoughtfulness; a feast for the eyes. See attached flyer.  (PS If any choir members would like to drop in for a drink and a chat with the artists on Saturday 26th (5 – 7 p.m.)you would be very welcome! 

Sunday 27 November The Seagull (Chekhov).  Live screening from the National Theatre at Shaftesbury Arts Centre,  7.00 p.m. 

Saturday 3 December  A Christmas Carol – music, poetry and prose for the festive season.  3.00 p.m. St James’ Church. The one-hour concert in aid of Read Easy will consist of Christmas music on the organ, trumpet, recorder, carols and readings.  There will be a collection on leaving.  See last week’s flyer. 

also 

Gillingham Singers Christmas Concert.  St Mary’s Church, Gillingham.  7.30 p.m. See attached flyer.   

Sunday 4 December  Light up the World.  Pilgrim Singers in Wincanton. 6.30 p.m.  See last week’s flier. 

Friday 9 December  Nöel – a concert by candlelight.  St Peter's.  See attached flyer.  More details at https://www.alexwilsonpianist.com/noeumll.html 

Saturday 10 December    Palida and Sturminster Choral Society.  Britten’s Ceremony of Carols + other treats.  St Mary’s, Sturminster Newton.   See attached flyer 

Sunday 11 December  Shaftesbury Orchestra at St James Church.  3.00 pm  See earlier flier. 

and looking further ahead 

2023 

Saturday 4 February  Pasture and Storms.  Celebrating left hand alone virtuoso pianists.  More details later, but have a look at https://shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk/events/pasture-storm-a-celebration-of-left-hand-alone-virtuoso-pianists/ 

CHRISTMAS FOODBANK  

Keep our trolley filled to overflowing!  The organisers are particularly asking for boxes of savoury crackers, Christmas puddings, jams and spreads, Christmas chocolates and crisps, non-alcoholic drinks, boxes of Christmas crackers, other Christmas treats. 

CHURCHES TOEGETHER OUTDOOR NATIVITY PLAY   

Carol singers wanted (I am playing the keyboard) for the Churches Together Outdoor Nativity at 1 pm on Sunday 18th Dec outside the Town Hall.  

Music for ' Come and Join the Dance' which you may not know, is attached (see Outdoor Nativity 1 and 2) and is for the procession up the High Street. 

Other carols are: O Little Town of Bethlehem; Once in Royal David's City; While Shepherds Watched; On Christmas Night; We Three Kings; Good Christians All Rejoice. 

Practices 5.45pm Tuesdays at Bell Street United Church.  More details from Sue (alto) 

 DAVID