Winter 2024
On 16th November the choir performed Haydn’s Nelson mass, also known as a ‘Mass for troubled times.’ The technical difficulties of this work had been thoroughly rehearsed, which enabled a lively performance, to which the reviewer accorded the description ‘bravura style’. The organ accompaniment also followed that description. It was preceded by Schubert’s short but haunting Mass in G. The concert was well attended considering the heating was not functioning!
In between rehearsing Handel’s Messiah, we are looking forward to starting Brahms’ Deutsches Requiem in January 2025. For this we will be joined by our new musical director Alex Silverman. Apart from his experience and enthusiasm, he will bring additional knowledge about interesting composers, whilst sticking to our main aim: performing large and successful choral works.
In October 2024 Ivan Moss retired as Chairman after 7 eventful years, and Adrian Hopkinson was elected to succeed him, and two new committee members were elected.
The choir is extremely grateful for Ivan’s leadership through the difficult times associated with Covid. In his report to the AGM Ivan described the achievements of the choir in recent times.
Chairman’s report to AGM 21st October 2024
This has been the 70th year of singing by the Choir.
We started with our new Musical Director, Laura Baillie in November 2023 with a performance of Mozart’s Requiem and Coronation Mass at a new venue St Paul’s in Warwick. This was followed by our annual tribute to Handel with a performance of The Messiah at St Nicholas Church Kenilworth
Our seventieth Birthday Concert of Elijah was a “celebration to be justly proud of” in the words of the reviewer in the local paper. This demonstrates the quality of our performances.
Our summer concert was Puccini’s Messa di Gloria at St Johns Kenilworth.
An innovation this year has been a Performance sub-committee to consider our future programme. There has been a hiatus as we change Musical Directors.
The expenses of running a choir have increased. We had held our annual subscription at £100 for at least 6 years. This year we have raised it to £125 and without trying to anticipate future decisions it will probably need to be raised next year and possibly annually.
We have a solid financial position, but we need a steady income stream. Sponsorship and bequests are also important to us. Good fund-raising ideas are welcome!
I have been Chair for seven years and have decided it is time to hand on the baton. Reflecting on this time I think the high was Verdi’s Requiem. I don’t want to think about the lows which where during Covid. We did bounce back with a magnificent performance of The Messiah. I like to think the choir is stronger now than when I started.
My role as Chair has been made easy by the magnificent support and hard work of the Committee over the last seven years. The current crop being, Jane Brock, Rosemary Lawrence, Sheila Verrier, Jenny Lester, Stephanie Lane, Ken Smith, Sue Kendall and Adrian Hopkinson. There are also a number of people not on the committee who do a lot of work.
As you know Laura Baillie is leaving us. I would like to thank her for her hard work and above all else her enthusiasm and joy she has brought to rehearsals which have been reflected in our concert performances. On behalf of the choir, I wish her well for the future.
Lastly but certainly not least is Colin Druce. I was looking for a new phrase to express our gratitude but instead I have recycled two from the past, our ‘rock’ and ‘for his sterling work at the piano’.
Ivan Moss/Adrian Hopkinson
Summer 2023
A successful year and a new Music Director
Another successful musical year. Christmas was a case of something completely different! No Messiah concert but L’Estrange’s, Wassail! sung with the Warwickshire Youth Choirs. A great success with lots of parents in attendance.
Then in April another combination with Coventry Philharmonic Choir for a stunning performance of Verdi’s Requiem. For the record we covered all our costs and raised £4,571.43 for Myton Hospice. Then just recently another excellent concert, of Anthems and Folk Songs.
We said farewell to David Wynne, our Music Director who had the misfortune to start just as covid reared its ugly head. He led online rehearsals and has helped the choir scale new heights.
We have now appointed a new Music Director, Laura Bailie, who will start in the autumn. I trust you will give her a warm welcome at our first rehearsal.
Dates for your diary
Monday 4th September first rehearsal of autumn term
Saturday, 18th November. Autumn Concert. Mozart Requiem and Coronation Mass. Venue: tbc.
Tuesday, 12th December. Handel’s Messiah. St Nicholas’ Church, Kenilworth (venue: tbc).
In the meantime, I hope you all have a good summer. I have got a little holiday job for you all. The Choir does need to grow. So, go out into the world and each bring a recruit or two to our first rehearsal on Monday 4th September.
Lost property
Metal water bottle left after the auditions on Monday 17th. If it is yours contact Jane Brock.
Grey cap left in St Johns church after 15th July concert. This is currently living with me.
Ivan Moss