Hello friends, happy New Year! I hope you’re all well and had a relaxing Christmas? A few things from me before we start the term, so thank you for reading.
Thank you
Once again, thank you for last year; what a great year 2024 was for Cumnor Choral Society. I want to particularly thank those who came to sing Christmas Carols at Cumnor Hill House Care Home – we’ve had some lovely feedback from them, so it was a huge success and we did the choir proud!
I also want to thank you all again for your love, support and generosity towards us with Ezra. He had a lovely first Christmas, and that was helped by the wonderful presents we were given by you all. We’ve been truly touched by everyone’s kindness, and we can’t thank you enough.
Next Term
We begin working on Stainer’s The Crucifixion on Thursday 9th January! It’s an amazing work in which we’ll be able to really shine and show off the quality of ensemble we’ve been developing – I really can’t wait to perform this piece with you.
The concert is on Saturday 15th March at 7:30pm, with a normal 2-5pm rehearsal that afternoon.
With the concert so early (owing to an early Easter), we had originally planned for 9 rehearsals, and taking a half-term break. However, I’ve decided we should run through half term, to get the full 10 rehearsals in the term. I hope this is okay with you all. If you already had plans for the half term, don’t worry, one rehearsal off won’t matter too much, but I think it would be great to keep the momentum up across the term!
So, rehearsals will run *every Thursday* between the 9th January and the 15th March (concert day).
Also a reminder that we’ll be singing at another care home at 6pm (before the rehearsal) on Thursday 23rd January, performing works from the booklet from the ‘Classical Celebration’ concert in November. Could you let us know by the 16th January if you can sing at this please.
January Schedule
In order to help with your practice at home (and to save me time writing Notes each week (or failing to, haha!)), I’ve provided a rehearsal schedule for January. Please check it out and see what’s coming up at each rehearsal.
(Please note that all page numbers are going by my marked score, as I haven’t yet seen the version Monica will be giving out)
Marked Score
Monica will be handing out scores for the Stainer at our first rehearsal back. Please then spend the next couple of weeks putting the markings from my marked score below in. It really saves rehearsal time when we all know where the breaths are!
Learning Guides
Here is my recommended recording to listen to:
YouTube
Spotify
Alongside this, there are plenty of learning resources out there to help you learn your parts. My suggestion is John Fletcher Music, available HERE.
I think that’s all for now. I’m really looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday 9th January. A reminder that if you have any friends or family interested in joining Cumnor Choral Society, maybe as a new year’s resolution, this would be a great term to do it!
– Ben
Cumnor Choral Society 