14 DECEMBER 2023

Hi everyone, well sung last night. This Saturday 16th we have our next Christmas gig.  Arrive 10.45 at Quaker Meeting House reds and Christmas sparkles.( 5 Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8BB).  We start singing at 11 am for about ½ an hour. 

Set list will be drawn from Hosanna, Come Tune Your Cheerful Voice, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, I Saw Three Ships,  Ukrainian Carol of the Bells, Boars Head Carol, Past Three A Clock + Ding Dong. The Friendly Beasts Carol, as well as regular carols.

Next week we will be having our Christmas Party and welcoming David back home!  Mulled wine and mince pies will be provided.  Dress up in Christmas gaiety if you fancy. 

. We will be singing our repertoire, interspersed with people doing a few turns.    

 Saturday 16 December 11.00- 11.30 am at the Quaker Meeting House Abbey Walk

Choir will continue until Wednesday 20 December and then we will have a couple of weeks off, resuming on Wednesday 10 January.

Sunday 21 January  Remembrance Service on for families who have lost a loved one at the Westminster Hospital.   We have been asked if a small group of us could sing two joyful songs at some point between 3 pm - 4 pm.  More details later. 

OTHER COMING EVENTS

Friday 15 December Gillngham Arts Workshop Gillingham Library 5 pm -6 pm

Saturday 16 December Palida Christmas concert 6 -7 pm St Nicholas Church Durweston

Tuesday 19 December  Join Palida for Christmas songs and a drink at the Grosvenor 8 pm

Thursday 21 December  Gwyneth Wentink is giving her first local concert on 21st December at the Grosvenor Arms at 8pm. She plays baroque, classical, contemporary,

https://www.theftr.co.uk/a-christmas-harp-recital/

COVID

The Community Choir don’t appear to have been hit yet (we are clearly a healthy lot) but we will be practising with the doors open unless it is blowing a gale.  If you are ill or know you should probably self-isolate please stay at home.

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 the session/s paid for.

Karen 14.12

P.S. Apologies from Andrea for neglecting to post newsletters here for the past couple of months. She has been somewhat overwhelmed by other voluntary roles. Hopefully, things will settle down in the new year but in the meantime there are several new photos on the gallery page.

14 OCTOBER 2023

Good work on Wednesday - things are really well on track for our forthcoming Town Twinning concert.   Please do tell your friends and family about it so that we can be sure of performing to a full house.  I’m attaching a flyer for you to share.  This coming week we will start at St Peter’s so that we can practise Moon River and Verdi with the piano and then move over to the Town Hall for the rest of the evening.  Don’t forget, if I can’t help, Be still, I am a River, Wake up and Moon River could be sung without words that would be particularly professional looking.

COVID

The Community Choir don’t appear to have been hit yet (we are clearly a healthy lot) but we will be practising with the doors open unless it is blowing a gale.  If you are ill or know you should probably self-isolate please stay at home.

CHOIR COMING EVENTS

Wednesday 18 October  Entertainment for the residents of John Shoobridge Court, Bleke Street 2.15 -3.00 (approx.)  We will meet at 1.15 in Haimes Lane for  a quick run through on the day.  Our songs will be chosen from: Down in the river to pray, I'm gonna sing sing, sing, Viva la musica, A place called England, Jug of punch, Follow the heron, Sezeni na.  We will also be doing some community songs with piano and clarinet accomp.  These will most likely be: I’m getting married in the morning, Yesterday, Ob-la-di, My old man, Blue Skies, Moon River.  I will provide song sheets for all concerned.

Saturday 28 October  Combined concert featuring ourselves, Palida and musicians from Brionne.  Our songs will be: I can’t help, Be still and I am a River (by ourselves); Wake up and Dvorak (with Palida); Verdi and Moon River (with Palida and Brionne musicians).  St Peter’s.  7.00.  SEE ATTACHED FLYER – PLEASE CIRCULATE IT AMONGST YOUR FRIENDS

OTHER COMING EVENTS

TODAY Saturday 14 October  FOR THE LOVE OF SONG with Sarah Pennington.  Note the last minute change of venue which is now the Witchampton Village Hall BH21 5AP.  Time: 10.30am – 4.30pm   Cost: £30

TOMORROW Sunday 15 October  Informal concert.  Three Bach cantatas with orchestra. 4. 00 p.m. Sturminster Newton High School.  FREE

Friday 20 October.  JUMP.  A short bespoke house concert with music composed and performed by Karen at Dean’s Court, Wimborne.  4.00 p.m. and  6.00 p.m.  See attached flyer.

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 the session/s paid for.

David

7 OCTOBER 2023

Hard work on Wednesday and great progress.  This coming week we will have a quick sing of Moon River which we are doing in place of Dry your Tears and which is very easy.   We should be able to complete the Dvorak too and get the others sounding even more slick!  Just a thought, if I can’t help, Be still, I am a River, Wake up and Moon River could be sung without words that would be particularly professional looking. The words of Moon River are attached if you need them. 

 CHOIR COMING EVENTS 

Wednesday 18 October  Entertainment for the residents of John Shoobridge Court, Bleke Street 2.15 -3.00 (approx.)  We will meet at 1.15 for  a quick run through on the day.  Our songs will be: Down in the river to pray, I'm gonna sing sing, sing, Viva la musica, A place called England, Jug of punch, Follow the heron, Sezeni na.  We are also going to do some community songs with piano accomp.  These will most likely be: I’m getting married in the morning, Yesterday, Ob-la-di, My old man, Blue Skies, Moon River.  I will provide song sheets for everyone concerned. 

 Saturday 28 October  Combined concert featuring ourselves, Palida and musicians from Brionne.  Our songs will be: I can’t help, Be still and I am a River (by ourselves); Wake up and Dvorak (with Palida); Verdi and Moon River (with Palida and Brionne musicians).  St Peter’s.  7.00.  SEE ATTACHED FLYER 

 OTHER COMING EVENTS  

TODAY Saturday 7 October FAURÉ REQUIEM & CANTIQUE.  ST. JAMES’ CHURCH.  Informal concert (free) at 4.00.
Saturday 14 October  FOR THE LOVE OF SONG with Sarah Pennington.  Village Hall, Cranborne, Dorset, BH21 5QB    Time: 10.30am – 4.30pm   Cost: £30 on the day / £25 if booked and paid by 7th October  Email: info@joyousisle.com   Tel: 01202 885294 or 01258 840097  www.joyousisle.com/workshops.php 

Friday 20 October.  JUMP.  A short bespoke house concert with music composed and performed by Karen at Dean’s Court, Wimborne.  4.00 p.m. and  6.00 p.m.  See attached flyer. 

 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 the session/s paid for. 

 David 

7 October 2023 

 STOP PRESS  

The amount collected for the Ukrainian dancers to pay for their full English at the Salt Cellar was exactly covered ( with 50 p to spare!) by the generosity of the choir.    I gather they’ve become quite addicted to fry-ups during their stay here and were very grateful.  

30 SEPTEMBER 2023

More excellent singing on Wednesday.  Personally, it was great to hear the Verdi take shape in particular - sitting back and playing the piano while everyone else did the work.  Marvellous.

This coming week we will revert to the Town Hall, consolidate the good work we did on Be Still and Verdi and crack on with the Dvorak Anthem and Dry Your Tears – both held over from last time – where does the time go?   Our warm-up song will be I am a River once more.  All are pieces we will be singing at the Town Twinning concert.

Thanks also to the dozen or so choir members who volunteered to sing at John Shoobridge Court on the afternoon of Wednesday 18 October.  Can you let me know what songs you might  like to do  - either at choir on Wednesday or, better, by e-mail over the next couple of days so that I can make a start on the planning?  Maybe we could all stay on for 10 minutes or so on Wednesday.

FINALLY, IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED IF THE PARKING AREA IN FRONT OF THE TOWN HALL COULD BE LEFT FREE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST. MANY THANKS.

CHOIR COMING EVENTS

Wednesday 18 October  Entertainment for the residents of John Shoobridge Court 2.15 -3.00 (approx.)

Saturday 28 October  Combined concert featuring ourselves, Palida and musicians from Brionne.  Our songs will be: I can’t help, Be still and I am a River (by ourselves); Wake up and Dvorak (with Palida); Verdi and Africa (with Palida and Brionne musicians).  St Peter’s.

OTHER COMING EVENTS

TODAY Saturday 30 September  SHAFTESBURY CARNIVAL

Sunday 1 October  Carnival Thanksgiving Service.  St John’s, Enmore Green.  3.00 p.m.  Another chance for a really good sing.

Saturday 7 October COME AND SING FAURÉ REQUIEM & CANTIQUE.  ST. JAMES’ CHURCH.  Have a word if you would like more workshop details.  Informal concert (free) at 4.00.
Saturday 14 October  FOR THE LOVE OF SONG The day is led by Sarah Pennington whom many of us know.  She is a highly experienced and enthusiastic voice teacher who inspires confidence and trust in her singers.    Please take food to contribute to a shared lunch, preferably vegetarian, and they'll lay it all out on tables for a community feast!   Venue: Village Hall, Cranborne, Dorset, BH21 5QB    Time: 10.30am – 4.30pm   Cost: £30 on the day / £25 if booked and paid by 7th October
Email: info@joyousisle.com   Tel: 01202 885294 or 01258 840097  www.joyousisle.com/workshops.php

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 the session/s paid for.

David

STOP PRESS

Kyiv Ballet are coming to Shaftesbury for a week! Lots more info here + quiz nights and art events   https://www.shaftesburyrefugeegroup.org/kcb-events-2023

2 SEPTEMBER 2023

We were in fine voice I felt last Wednesday and our final rendition of Kheruvimskaya was absolutely superb.  We still have work to do on I can’t help falling in love which, through lack of time, was a bit rushed, but everything else went very well indeed.  Bravo all round.

This coming week we will be polishing I Can’t Help Falling in Love along with Be Still My Soul, and Ani Couni (both held over from last time) together with As Above as a warm-up once more.  Time (and numbers!) permitting our other pieces will be Anthem (that mighty Clark-Dvorak collaboration) and / or Funiculi Funicula  The words of these last two are attached.  Words for the others (where needed) have all been attached in recent weeks.

CHOIR COMING EVENT

Saturday 28 October  Combined concert featuring ourselves, Palida and musicians from Brionne.  More details later.

OTHER COMING EVENTS

TODAY Saturday 2 September  Emily Burridge at Donhead St Mary Church.  7.00 P.M. See attached flyer.

Saturday 9 September  3.00pm in St. James’s Church. Nick Crump and Tim Laycock celebrate 35 years of musical friendship with a concert playing their favourite songs and tunes. See last week’s poster.

Sat 9 – Sun 17 September The Blackmore Vale Art Trail is centred around Shaftesbury but expands out as far as Gillingham, Sturminster Newton, Belchelwell and Child Okeford.  26 artists in 20 venues all very different in style and happy to welcome  visitors and chat about art. Amongst the artists are choir members past and present including Viv Rudd, Elizabeth Hazelwood, Jane Shepherd and  Andrea Jenkins. Free brochures available at choir.

Saturday 16 September  Writing the land - an opportunity for a small group to enjoy an author-led activity designed to inspire writing about nature and place. See last week’s flyer.

also

Phoenix Café Orchestra  2.45 – 4.00  The Exchange, Sturminster Newton.  In aid of the Blackmore Vale ReadEasy Group.  See last week’s flyer.

also

Two Te Deums in a Day (choral day)  Dorset Rural Music School, Blandford.  See attached flyer.

SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER, COME AND SING FAURÉ REQUIEM & CANTIQUE.  ST. JAMES’ CHURCH.  Have a word with me if you would like more details.

OTHER NEWS

The organisers of the Shaftesbury Town Twinning are looking for hosts for visitors from Brionne towards the end of October.  Mainly adults.  If you are interested in offering hospitality have a  word with Karen.

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 the session/s paid for.

David

2 September 2023

26 AUGUST 2023

Our new warm-up, As Above, sounded really confident last week and some good work was done on both I Can’t Help and Stand By Me.  We’ll be looking at all three again next week.  It was great to sing Walk a Mile again, too, which we have not looked at for a couple of years.  A suitably rousing finisher I think we all agreed.

Another plea from the good souls who help with the washing up at the end of our sessions – PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MUGS and when it comes to the words of the songs, PLEASE PRINT OUT YOUR OWN COPIES IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

This coming week we will be polishing I Can’t Help Falling in Love, As Above and Stand By Me along with Be Still My Soul, Ani Couni and Keruvimskaya (all held over from last time) together with Tongo and Alleluia as warm-ups.  The words of all of these (where needed) have all been attached in recent weeks.

CHOIR COMING EVENT

Saturday 28 October  Combined concert featuring ourselves, Palida and musicians from Brionne.  More details later.

OTHER COMING EVENTS

Saturday 2 September  Emily Burridge at Donhead St Mary Church.  See earlier flyer

Saturday 9 September  3.00pm in St. James’s Church. Nick Crump and Tim Laycock celebrate 35 years of musical friendship with a concert playing their favourite songs and tunes. See attached poster.

Sat 9 – Sun 17 September The Blackmore Vale Art Trail is centred around Shaftesbury but expands out as far as Gillingham, Sturminster Newton, Belchelwell and Child Okeford.  26 artists in 20 venues all very different in style and happy to welcome  visitors and chat about art. Amongst the artists are choir members past and present including Viv Rudd, Elizabeth Hazelwood, Jane Shepherd and  Andrea Jenkins. Free brochures available at choir from Wednesday.   See attached flyer.

Saturday 16 September  Writing the land - an opportunity for a small group to enjoy an author-led activity designed to inspire writing about nature and place. See attached flyer.  Also STOP PRESS below.

also

Phoenix Café Orchestra  2.45 – 4.00  The Exchange, Sturminster Newton.  In Aid of the Blackmore Vale Read Easy Group.  See attached flyer.

SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER, COME AND SING FAURÉ REQUIEM & CANTIQUE.  ST. JAMES’ CHURCH.  Have a word with me if you would like more details.

OTHER NEWS

The organisers of the Shaftesbury Town Twinning are looking for hosts for visitors from Brionne towards the end of October.  Mainly adults.  If you are interested in offering hospitality have a  word with Karen.

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 the session/s paid for.

David

26 August 2023

STOP PRESS – WRITING THE LAND

In case you haven’t heard it,  Jane Adams gave a good interview with Keri on This is Alfred on Tuesday 22nd - 

https://thisisalfred.com/countryside/wildlife-author-hopes-to-inspire-nature-writers-with-shaftesbury-workshop/

12 AUGUST 2023

More good singing last time.  Bushes and Briars and California Dreamin’ both sounded great, we made a really good start on Kheruvimskaya and solidified (I hope) the first four verses of Be Still My Soul.  

This week coincides with the G&S Show of course, but we will meet as usual.  Fingers crossed for a big turnout.  We will be singing Bushes and Briars once more, continue Kheruvimskaya, Be Still, Ani Couni and Cry Heart, make a start on I Can’t Help Falling in Love (held over from last time) and by popular request, try Isa Lei at a somewhat brisker tempo. Words (where needed) of all of these have been attached in recent weeks.    PLEASE PRINT OUT YOUR OWN COPIES IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

COMING EVENTS

Sunday 13 August Virtuoso horn player Felix Klieser, who was born without arms and plays the instrument with his toes, makes his Proms debut with Mozart's Horn Concerto No 4, with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.  BBC 4 8.00 p.m.  NOT TO BE MISSED.

Tuesday 22 August  Jabberwocky.  Springhead.  7.00 p.m.   See attached flyer

Saturday 2 September  Emily Burridge at Donhead St Mary Church.  See earlier flyer

OTHER NEWS

The organisers of the Shaftesbury Town Twinning are looking for hosts for visitors from Brionne towards the end of October.  Mainly adults.  If you are interested in offering hospitality have a  word with Karen.

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 the session/s paid for.

David

12 August 2023

5 AUGUST 2023

Numbers were a little down on Wednesday but the quality of the singing was really good – congrats to all who were there.  This coming week we will definitely make a start on Kheruvimskaya (held over for two weeks now) and continue looking at Be Still My Soul, California Dreamin’ and Ani Couni, together with Cry Heart, Bushes and Briars, Isa Lei and I Can’t Help Falling in Love.  Words for these last three are attached.

We had some excellent news from the clerk to the Town Council earlier in the week who wrote: Thank you very much for your grant application . I am pleased to inform you that last night Shaftesbury Town Council resolved to fully support the grant application for continued free use of the Guild Hall by the Community Choir for 12 months on Wednesday evenings.  We wish you a successful year.

Many thanks to Julia, Tracey and Annie for submitting the grant application for us.  Also thanks to Estrella (alto) and Paul for the attached photo from the Fringe.

COMING EVENTS

TODAY Saturday 5 August   Anna Tam is returning to perform at Shaftesbury Abbey - an extraordinary performer!  See last week’s flyer

Saturday 2 September  Emily Burridge at Donhead St Mary Church.  See last week’s flyer

OTHER NEWS

Richard (tenor) has had a couple of enquiries last week as to whether he'd be bringing Shaftesbury Home Grown’s  eggs again.   This was actually only a temporary arrangement  and for the foreseeable future they will be left on sale outside Matthew Tagney's house at 17, Tanyard Lane

There are lots of exciting new courses for Shaftesbury and Gillingham in the Autumn.   See earlier flyer

The organisers of the Shaftesbury Town Twinning are looking for hosts for visitors from Brionne towards the end of October.  Mainly adults.  If you are interested in offering hospitality have a  word with Karen.

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 the session/s paid for.

David

5 August 2023

29 JULY 2023

Our performance at the Fringe seems such a long time ago now but it was only last weekend!  A great turn out and a very appreciative and generous audience.  (An amazing 316 were clicked in for our performance and we raised approximately £171 so with a 80/20 split with the Abbey we have an extra £139 for the choir.)

Annabel, the manager writes:   

Just to say a big thank you for your wonderful performance at the Abbey. I know the weather wasn't the best, but we had such a happy time and really positive and generous responses from your audience. It's lovely to see the place full of people enjoying music in the gardens and I'm very grateful you chose us as a venue.   We'll hope to see you next year in brilliant sunshine!   With many thanks.

If any of you have any photos of our performance please zap them to me or Julia and we can put them on the website.

This coming week we will make a start on Jug of Punch* and Kheruvimskaya* (both held over from last time) and continue looking at Be Still My Soul and California Dreamin* along with Ani Couni, Sunshine, Fire and Rain and Freedom is Coming.   (* Words for these three were attached last time, Ani Couni is attached to this e-mail and no words are needed for the others.)

COMING EVENTS

Saturday 5 August   Anna Tam is returning to perform at Shaftesbury Abbey - an extraordinary performer!  See attached flyer

Saturday 2 September  Emily Burridge at Donhead St Mary Church.  See attached flyer

OTHER NEWS

Many of you will know that Channel 5 were filming in Shaftesbury a couple of weeks ago.  “Dorset: country and coast” started last Wednesday at 8pm.  It's expected to air weekly.  (You won’t be able to watch it live of course as you won’! Three cheers for technology though.)

There are lots of exciting new courses for Shaftesbury and Gillingham in the Autumn.   See last week’s flyer

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 the session/s paid for.

David

29 July 2023

15 JULY 2023

Great singing again on Wednesday.  Good to re-visit a few old favourites as well as polishing some of the items for our forthcoming Fringe show (see below).  As you know, quite a number of choir members are involved in other Fringe productions too. I have been given info for the ones listed below – do support them if you can. Looking back to the weekend before last, photos from the Gold Hill Festival are now on our website. 

This coming week we will double check items for the Fringe and, if time, continue looking at a few old favourites – probably Be Still My Soul, Senzeni Na and My Little Cup (no words will be needed) 

COMING CHOIR EVENT  

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens. As you know our programme will be chosen from the following: Bela Mama; Simama; Vive La Compagnie; 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; Ooh-la-la-lay; Follow the Heron; Shaftesbury’s Delights; Say, Say Yes; The Green Man; Circle of Life, Hold On.  Last year our show got the second biggest Fringe audience – let’s do better this time! 

OTHER EVENTS 

TOMORROW Sunday 16 July  Shaftesbury Orchestra  Sibelius, Schubert, Weber, Wagner and Faure.  FREE.   4.00 p.m. St James’ Church.  See last week’s flyer. 

FRINGE EVENTS  Fri 21 – Sun 23 July 

The following feature members of the choir or their families.  Flyers for most of them are attached with more to come I’m sure. 

Friday  

Richard Foreman’s 26 Letters.  4.00 Grosvenor Hotel  

Saturday  

The Long Arc  11.00-12.00  Grosvenor Hotel 

Alice’s Marmalade Cat  2.00  Trinity Centre 

Helen Porter and Karen Wimhurst  9.00 p.m.  St Peter’s Church 

Sunday  

Palida Sings  12.30 -1.15  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens 

Mill Singers Male Voice Choir  2.00 -3.00 Bell Street United Church 

Phoenix Café Orchestra  Tea at the Ritz.  3.30 – 4.15.  Saint James’ Church.  

Songs of Praise for Today. 6.00 – 7.00.  Saint James’ Church.  

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 the session/s paid for. 

David 

15 July 2023 

8 JULY 2023

What a wonderful turn-out for Gold Hill Festival last weekend and what a great sound too.  If any of you have any photos of the event (good ones that is) do send them to either me or Julia and we will put a few of them on our website.  Our three summer events have been very well supported and justifiably well received; only the Shaftesbury Fringe to go now.   Last year our show got the second biggest Fringe audience – let’s do better this time! Quite a number of choir members will be involved in other Fringe productions too, of course, so if you would like your show to be added to the list of events below let me know and I’ll add you. (Basic info + a flyer is probably best.)

This coming week we will double check Green Man, 500 Miles and Little Bit of Love, sing Senzeni Na again and revisit a few old favourites – probably Rongo Mau, Be Still My Soul, My Little Cup and Hold On (no words will be needed)

COMING CHOIR EVENT 

Sunday 23 July  Shaftesbury Fringe   11.15 a.m.  Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens.  As you know our programme will be chosen from the following: Bela Mama; Simama; Vive La Compagnie; 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; Ooh-la-la-lay; Follow the Heron; Shaftesbury’s Delights; Say, Say Yes; The Green Man; Circle of Life.

OTHER EVENTS

Sunday 16 July  Shaftesbury Orchestra  Sibelius, Schubert, Weber, Wagner and Faure.  FREE.   4.00 p.m. St James’ Church.  See attached flyer.

FRINGE EVENTS  Fri 21 – Sun 23 July

Friday Richard Foreman’s 26 Letters.  4.00 Grosvenor Hotel  See attached flyer

Sunday Phoenix Café Orchestra  Tea at the Ritz.  3.30 – 4.15.  Saint James’ Church.  See attached flyer

also

Songs of Praise for Today. 6.00 – 7.00.  Saint James’ Church. See attached flyer

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 the session/s paid for.

David

8 July 2023

24 JUNE 2023

I didn’t realise what a profound effect a glass of prosecco could have on our singing.  Most of Wednesday evening went very well, though the less said about Say, Say Yes the better I think.  We’ll have another attempt at this next time.

As you know, with two events coming up in July (Gold Hill Festival and the Shaftesbury Fringe) we will be using the next few Wednesdays to put a bit of polish on those numbers that need it and maybe even get some of them sung from memory.

Our programme for both events will be based on the following: Bela Mama; Simama; Vive La Compagnie; 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; Ooh-la-la-lay; Follow the Heron; Shaftesbury’s Delights; Say, Say Yes; The Green Man.

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

Saturday 1 July  Gold Hill Festival  5.00 p.m.  Barton Hill Recreation Ground SP7 8DQ.  We are the first item on the programme so please be at the stage between 4.30 - 4.45.

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

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 the session/s paid for.

OTHER EVENTS – LOTS HAPPENING

TODAY Saturday 24 June  Concert for Ukraine.  7.30.  St John’s, Tisbury.  Baroque orchestral music to include Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4.  FREE  See earlier flyer

also

Twelfth Night.  Abbey Gardens, Shaftesbury.  See earlier flyer.

also

Organ recital by organist extraordinaire Chris Mahon.  3.00 p.m. St James’ Church.  FREE.  See attached flyer.

Monday 26 June  “West End to Broadway” – a musical theatre review.  Interest evening at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.  See attached flyer.

Thursdays 29 June and  9 July   Baroque Academy  Dorset Rural Music School.  See attached flyer.

Saturday 1 July  Another choral event.  See https://snappytickets.co.uk/events/songs-of-returning-helen-chadwick-group-in-the-round-choral-event-singing-workshop-in-shaftesbury/

Sunday 2 July  Phoenix Café Orchestra.  Tea for two … or three or four or more.  St Peter’s Church.  3.30 p.m. (Doors open at 3 o’clock) See attached flyer

also

Sumer is icumen in – charity concert in aid of Bees for Development.  Wincanton.  See attached flyer.

LOST FOLDER

Someone left their red choir folder behind in the Abbey Gardens.  I have it.

David

24 June 2023

10 JUNE 2023

A lot of hard work on Wednesday and some great singing once more.  Don’t forget we have Motcombe Fete today (arrive at 12.00 for 12.15 start) and our Green Week Big Sing next Wednesday in the Abbey Gardens - doors open at 6.00, music from 6.30 and we perform at about 7.00.  Please do give both events your full support if you possibly can.

Our MOTCOMBE programme, in no particular order, will consist of most of the following: Bela Mama; Simama; Vive La Compagnie; 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.

Usual dress code – red above the waist (no patterns), black or dark beneath.

Our GREEN WEEK programme, again in no particular order, will consist of Simama, Ooh-la-la-lay and Bela Mama (all with audience participation); Give Me Wings, Circle of Life, I am a River, Follow the Heron, Morning has Come and Blue Moon (by ourselves); Shaftesbury’s Delights, Place Called England, Tree of Life and Wake Up (with Palida).   

Wear something colourful + a bit of green if you can.

For both these events please make sure you have your words ready (unless of course you know them!)

COMING CHOIR EVENTS 

TODAY Saturday 10 June  Motcombe Fete  12.15 – 12.45.   Main Stage  Please arrive by 12.00 (when the gates open).  See details above.

Wednesday 14 June Big Green Week. Abbey Gardens.  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.  Bring a blanket and perhaps a folding chair too. (NB There will be no food bank collection.) NO CHARGE

Wednesday 21 June  Make Music Day 2023.  Normal choir session (7.30 start) + free glass of prosecco for those that want.

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

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

OTHER EVENTS

Thursday 15 June  Jump – composed and performed by Karen as part of the Big Green Week.  Music for live and multi-tracked clarinets, insect and amphibian calls. See attached flyer.

Sat 17 – Sun 18 June Stour Provost Flower Festival – with art and music.  See attached flyer.

Sunday 18 June  Wessex Strings.  Cheap Street Church, Sherborne.  See attached flyer.

Thursday 22 June  Lunchtime Concert.  Duo Redgate.  St Peter’s Church.  See last week’s flyer.  Free coffee and sandwiches as usual!

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.  3.00 p.m. St James’ Church.  FREE.  More details later.

Saturday 1 July  Another choral event.  See https://snappytickets.co.uk/events/songs-of-returning-helen-chadwick-group-in-the-round-choral-event-singing-workshop-in-shaftesbury/

Sunday 2 July  Phoenix Café Orchestra.  Tea for two … or three or four or more.  St Peter’s Church.  3.30 p.m. (Doors open at 3 o’clock) See attached flyer

DODGY REG

The first episode of Richard (tenor)’s  podcast, ‘Richard Foreman’s Dodgy Reg Encounters’ was created and became available on 30th May.  13 subsequent episodes will be appearing weekly every Tuesday.  If you have time and interest, do please have a listen and if you are so inclined, do share them.  Richard doesn’t expect to ‘go viral’ but a chap can dream, can’t he?  Here are some links to the various places he hopes you’ll be able to locate the podcast.

On my ‘platform’ (Acast) at: https://shows.acast.com/richard-foremans-dodgy-reg-encounters/

On my (PCs only) website at: https://www.richeff.co.uk/podcast  (feel free to take a look around while you’re there!)

On Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HGJw7iOuE4hU3i3wTtRmt

On YouTube at: https://youtu.be/VkI78r0K55U

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

10 June 2023

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.