Hello and welcome to the Notes for Members page!
This page will contain a recap of rehearsals, homework, links to practise websites and rehearsal dates.
Practice websites:
Recommended sites include:
Cyberbass: Innovative Learning for Choral Singers
JohnF’s Rehearsal Files: Rehearsal files for choral singers
Choral Line: the Art of Choral Learning
PLEASE NOTE they do not necessarily include the current music we are rehearsing.
More links will be added. Any suggestions for addition are welcome.
18th March 2025
Last night we rehearsed the Brahms.
Alex had a plan……… we went through parts of all the pieces, concentrating on the parts that needed a bit more help. Then we sang all of the choir pieces.
14th March 2025
Alex has sent the running order for the concert programme.
The running order on March 29th will be…
Schumann. If you love for beauty (Choir)
2 Lieder from Op. 13 (Baritone soloist)
2 gemischte Chöre from Op. 19 (Choir)
von Herzogenberg Variations on a theme of Brahms (Piano duet)
Brahms Geistliches Lied (Choir)
INTERVAL
Brahms Deutsches Requiem (Choir)
END
11th March 2025
Last night we concentrated on rehearsing, in great detail, the Clara Schumann pieces. We covered Gondolera, Vorwarts, Abendfeier in Venedig and If you Love for Beauty. Alex decided to drop the Abendfeier from the concert.
We also rehearsed Movement 7 from the Brahms Requiem.
Next week the aim is to run the Requiem.
Rosemary told us that if we were going to attend Joan’s funeral on 18th March (See below) then the dress code for ladies is bright colours please and for men sombre colours
4th March 2025
Last night we rehearsed the following:
Brahms IV
Schumann Gondoleria
Schumann Abendfeier in Venedig
Brahms II
We were reminded we need black folders for the concert. After checking at least 20 new folders need to be ordered.
Rosemary gave us the details of the funeral of former choir member Joan Steven, which will be on 18th March at 3.30pm in Leek Wootton
25th February 2025
Please find below a reminder for online practising links, as last night Alex reminded us to listen to the pieces at home:
For rehearsal links for both the Brahms and the Schumann please go to the link below.
Rehearsal-links-Spring-2025.pdf
_____________
Rosemary told us that at next week’s rehearsal there will be a “Bring and Buy” sale of CDs, DVDs and books to help our funds.
Please bring any unwanted pieces you have and support the sales on the day.
Steph asked the members who have not yet paid their 2025 membership fee to so so ASAP please.
Erica told us that we had had a request for some singers to support the hymn singing at a funeral on Wednesday 12th March at St Charles Borromeo Church, Hampton-the-Hill . Please support if you can.
21st February 2025
Please see below for the latest rehearsal schedule:
24th February: Brahms 2, 1 and All Schumann
3rd March: Brahms 3, 6, 7 and Geistliches Lied, 2 Herzen im Leben
10th March: All Non-Requiem
17th March: Requiem only
24th March: Run through all and polish
11th February 2025
This week we rehearsed Brahms German Requiem Numbers 3 and 2 and “Vorwarts” by Schumann.
Adrian reminded us that it is half-term next week, so there will not be a rehearsal. We were encouraged to practise at home.
We were reminded to sign up for the concert if we are singing and to pick up our tickets for sale.
At the 3rd March rehearsal there will be a fund raising sale of DVDs, CDs and books. Please bring any items you would like to de-clutter!
Alex will send details later of what we will rehearse at the next rehearsal on 24th February.
4th February 2025
At our rehearsal on 3rd February we worked on the 6th part of the Brahms, which is very demanding and long! We also sang Abendfeier in Venedig from the Clara Schumann.
For next time we will practise the third song called ‘Vorwarts’. In fact Alex says he will run through all of the first 3 Schumann songs. He wants to do them unaccompanied! Then we will work again on No. 6 of the Brahms and if there is time No. 2.
Steph put in a plea for help with books; Ken put in a plea for help with chairs; Louise mentioned we take cash, cheque, BACS etc for tickets, and to return any unsold tickets.
28th January 2025
Yesterday evening we rehearsed the 3rd and 4th movements of the Brahms German Requiem and ran through ‘If You Love for Beauty’ from the sheets.
Next week we will look at movement 6 of the Brahms and ‘Abendfeier in Venedi’g from the sheets.
21st January 2025
For rehearsal links for both the Brahms and the Schumann please go to the link below.
Rehearsal-links-Spring-2025.pdf
________________________________
At the rehearsal this week we largely worked on movement two of the Brahms German Requiem and also the Brahms ‘Geistliches Lied’ in the booklet.
Chairman Adrian made announcements about a plea for help with the website, the raffle next week, permission to take photos, plea for a librarian or help for Steph, and a plea for help with chairs at 6.30pm before rehearsals.
14th January 2025
A great number of singers attended again.
We rehearsed No 4 in the Brahms German Requiem and then went over No 7 again.
We also rehearsed The Gondoliera by Clara Schumann.
Alex said that we will be rehearsing No 2 in the Brahms next week.
We were reminded that 2025 fees are now due. It is £100 for a full year and £60 if only singing in the Brahms concert..
We were also asked to check that we have had a recent email from WKCS and if not to update our email address with Rosemary.
Rosemary also reminded us of the New Year Raffle on 27th January. Please donate any ‘unwanted ‘ Christmas presents as prizes.
6th January 2025
It was great to see an excellent number of new faces at this rehearsal. As well as new members there were also a good number of members who haven’t attended for a while. Long may they continue!
It was our first rehearsal with our new Musical Director Alex Silverman. He was very friendly, keen and enthusiastic and has a great sense of humour!
He also took a very good rehearsal.
We started with No 1 in the Brahms German Requiem, then did No 7.
17th December 2024
Our final rehearsal for tonight’s performance of Messiah took place.
We enjoyed mince pies and wine during the break. We were reminded to be at St Nicholas by 7.15 to line up in the chapel. The car park at Abbey Fields only takes cards or Ring-Go payments (no cash).
It was Laura’s last rehearsal with us and she was presented with her leaving gifts. They included a new music stand, a houseplant and some wine. She was thanked for her time with us – ‘short but sweet’ and she gave us a touching goodbye speech.
10th December 2024
We were reminded that there will be plenty of copies of the Brahms Requiem for hire, but none for sale. If you wish to buy your own copy it is the Peter’s Edition Op 45 in German.
There will also be copies of the other pieces for the March concert available.
We were thanked or our efforts at last week’s raffle, which raised £115, and there are still some prizes left for next time!
We rehearsed the following from the Messiah:
No 44 Hallelujah
No 41 Let us Break their Bonds Asunder
No 53 Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain
No 46 Since by Man came death
No 21 His Yoke is Easy
No 22 Behold the Lamb of God
No 9 O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings
No 12 For unto us a Child is Born
No 24 Surely he hath born our griefs
No 25 And with his stripes
No 26 All we like sheep
Laura said that next week at the final rehearsal for the concert we will rehearse all the pieces.
She also reminded us to add the Sits and Stands to our copies, if not done already.
5th December 2024
We have received the following invitation:
Come and Sing Event
CBSO
Haydn’s Creation, 2nd February 2025. 10.30-4.15, CBSO Centre, Birmingham.
https://cbso.co.uk/events/come-and-sing-haydnscreation
3rd December 2024
Colin took last night’s rehearsal, as unfortunately Laura was unable to attend due to a puncture problem with her car.
We rehearsed all of the Messiah, except for the Hallelujah Chorus, which we had done twice last week.
Adrian asked for volunteers to distribute posters around Kenilworth, to encourage more people to come to the concert. St Nicholas, Kenilworth seats 200 people so we need good ticket sales.
Rosemary reminded us that she is collecting for a farewell present for Laura, and all contributions will be welcome.
At the break we enjoyed tea, coffee and cakes. Also we had a Raffle to help the choir’s funds. Members had been very generous with the prize donations, which was great.
26th November 2024
Adrian encouraged us to try and sell as many tickets as possible to friends, neighbours etc for the Messiah concert, as we would like a big audience. He reminded us that parking is easy at St Nicholas Kenilworth and that the acoustics in the church are very good.
Some more ‘helpers’ are needed for the evening of the concert – to help out with ticket and programme sales etc. If you have any friends / relatives etc who would like to help please let Adrian know. the more the merrier….
We were reminded that on the next rehearsal there will be our Christmas Raffle and also there will be hot drinks to buy at the break.
We rehearsed the following:
He trusted in God, no 29
All we like sheep have gone astray, no 26
And with his stripes, no 25
His Yoke is easy, no 21
Let us break the bonds asunder, no 41
Lift up you heads O ye gates, no 33
Surely he hath borne our griefs, no 24
Glory to God, no 17
For unto us a child is born, no 12
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, no 9
Hallelujah, no 44
19th November 2024
We went through all the pieces of the Messiah.
Laura asked us to listen to the Messiah on Choral Line or Cyberbass before next week’s rehearsal. (See links above)
There will be hire copies of the Messiah available on Monday , but not any for sale.
12th November 2024
The rehearsal on Saturday afternoon at St Nicholas, Warwick will be at 1.30pm.
Please remember that the heating in the church will not be working and dress appropriately.
Adrian reminded us that we need to bring a black folder to the concert. There are some on sale at £3 and the proceeds go to the choir funds.
There are some tickets left for sale and Adrian asked us to try and sell them.
At the concert please bring cash if you wish to buy drinks during the interval.
At our 2nd December rehearsal for the Messiah we run run a raffle. We need some gifts for prizes. Please donate.
We rehearsed the following:
Haydn:
Agnus Dei
Sanctus
Et Resurrexit
Et Incarnatus
Credo
Quoniam to Solus
Kyrie
Schubert:
Agnus Dei
Credo (page 27 onwards)
Gloria in Excelsis
4th November 2024
Adrian reminded us that the heating at St Nichola Church, Warwick was not working and would not be fixed in time for our concert. Please dress appropriately.
Laura reminded us to add the ‘Sits and Stands’ that Rosemary had sent to our copies in time for the concert. Details are in the previous update below.
We then went completely through both the Schubert Mass and the Nelson Mass in order of performance.
22nd October 2024
Last week Rosemary sent us Laura’s ‘Sits & Stands’ for our November concert. They are:
Stand– Beginning of Schubert
Sit– End of Sanctus (Page 46)
Stand– page 56 (bar 51 of Benedictus)
Stand until the end.
Interval
Stand– beginning of Haydn
Sit– End of Gloria (page 22, last bar)
Stand– Page 23 (bar 121 of ‘Qui Tollis’ )
Sit- End of Credo (page 41, last bar)
Stand– Page 42, bar 95 (third line, last bar)
Sit– end of Sanctus (page 61, last bar)
Stand– Page 62, bar 24 of Benedictus (last line, first bar)
Sit– Page 72, last bar at the end of Benedictus
Stand– Page 75, bar 36 (second line, second bar).
Stand until the end
This week’s rehearsal was opened with our AGM, which was taken by Ivan as his final duty as Chair. We welcomed Adrian Hopkinson as our new Chair.
We then rehearsed the following:
Haydn
Page 29 Quoniam Tu Solus
Page 4 Kyrie
Page 46 Et Resurrexit
Page 57 Sanctus
Schubert
Page 25 Credo
Page 41 Sanctus
Page 3 Kyrie Eleison
Laura reminded us NOT to put down our music copies until the very end of the pieces.
We were reminded to sign if we are signing at the next concert.
Next week, 28th October, is half term, so there is no rehearsal.
15th October 2024
Last night’s rehearsal was taken by Alex, as Laura was away.
Adrian did the introductory ‘chat’ as Ivan is unwell. He introduced our new conductor, handed out posters for circulation for our next concert and encouraged us to ‘put them out there’.
We were reminded by Rosemary that membership fees for 2025 are due before next week’s AGM at the latest. Those who have already paid received their membership cards.
We started the rehearsal with the Schubert:
Sanctus
Angus Dei
Credo
and then rehearsed the following from the Haydn:
Et Resurrexit
Et Incarnatus
Benedictus
8th October 2024
We rehearsed the following from Haydn ‘s Nelson Mass:
Quoniam Tu Solus
Et Incarnatus
and the Gloria from Schubert’s Mass in C
Adrian reminded us all to leave quickly at the end of rehearsals. Last week someone was locked in by mistake…..
Laura told us that she will be away for the rehearsal next week, so our new conductor Alex will take the rehearsal.
We were also reminded of the AGM at 7pm on Monday 21st October.
14th September 2024
We rehearsed the following from Haydn’s Nelson Mass:
Quoniam Tu Solus
Credo
Dona Nobis
and the Kyrie Eleison from Schubert’s Mass in C
7th September 2024
Ivan reminded us that the AGM is on the 21st October. Some new committee members are needed, so he asked for some volunteers please.
We rehearsed the following from the Nelson Mass:
Credo
Et Resurrexit
Benedictus
and the following from the Mass in G:
Sanctus
Benedictus
Kyrie
Credo
10th September 2024
Ivan informed the choir that the Musical Director’s position was offered to Alex Silverman and he has accepted the post.
Laura went through most of the Nelson Mass with us, and then the Mass in G up to and including the Sanctus.
3rd September 2024
Ivan welcomed us to the choir ‘audition‘ of the candidates for the new Musical Director and thanked us for turning up a week earlier for this. There was a very good number of us there.
Three of the candidates attended and spent 25 minutes each rehearsing the Nelson Mass with us. We all had a voting paper and we had to put them in our preferred order. All three were very good and entertaining, so I think it will be difficult for the Committee to make the final decision.
Ivan stated that this choir participation in the decision making is important.
11th June 2024
Laura told us that next week’s Rehearsal will be a full run through of the concert, so please make sure that you have the “stands and sits” marked in your score. In an email received at the end of May, but repeated below.
They are as follows:
First half: Laura will show us all stands and sits.
*Messa Di Gloria is in the second half *
- Stand for the start of the second half as LB walks on with soloists.
- Sit on page 17, first bar at andante sostenuto
- Stand at Page 21, second line first bar (a tempo). 2 bars before you sing
- Sit at page 58, 2nd bar (as bass solo begins)
- Stand at page 59, third line at ‘allegro’ marking.
- Stand until the end
22nd May 2024
Ivan proposed a social get together / meal at The Moorings on 1st July at 6.30 or 7pm. Partners welcome! An email will be sent to members.
He also told us that the current school caretaker is retiring and the new caretaker is not prepared to lock up after our rehearsals after 9pm. This means that our forthcoming rehearsals will have to start at 7pm. We voted this in.
Colin was not available for this rehearsal so Laura played the organ.
We rehearsed the following:
Sanctus p73
Agnus Dei
Kyrie
Gloria p23
Credo
and the “Humming Choir” from Madama Butterfly.
There will not be a rehearsal next week due to the Bank Holiday. Laura asked us to listen to the music on the Internet and recommended the ChoraLine site.
Finally we were told that Rosemary will soon be sending us the ‘Sits & Stands’ list.
14th May 2024
Laura was unable to take the rehearsal this week, as she had a long standing engagement, made before joining us, to rehearse with another choir. So we had David Price, Director of Music of the Solihull Choral Society taking the rehearsal again.
We rehearsed most of the Messa de Gloria – the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei. We also practised the Requiem Aeternam by Edgar.
30th April 2024
We worked on the Kyrie and the Credo. The latter included more work on the Fugue.
There is no rehearsal next week as it is a Bank Holiday.
We were recommended to practice at home using Choraline – Puccini Messa di Gloria Vocal Score : Choraline.
24th April 2024
We looked at the Requiem Aeternam by Edgar, and at the Fugue in the Credo in Messa di Gloria
16th April 2024
We rehearsed the following:
Gloria
Agnus Dei
Credo
Laura recommended that we listen to the London Symphony version of Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, conducted by Tony Pappano.
9th April 2024
We held our first rehearsal for the Puccini concert in June.
There was a long queue of singers collecting their music for the next concert from Stephanie.
Adrian welcomed us all, as a stand-in for Ivan who wasn’t able to attend. Adrian passed on Ivan’s and Laura’s congratulations on our performance at the Elijah concert and read some of the notes from the newspaper article in the Leamington Spa Courier – see http://wkcs.org.uk/newsandevents/ for a copy of this article. Adrian gave thanks to Laura for the concert and to Colin, for his help with the entries on the day.
Last night we also had a ‘stand-in’ conductor, as Laura was unwell. David Price, Director of Music of the Solihull Choral Society introduced us the the Messa di Gloria in a very enthusiastic and useful way.
We rehearsed The Sanctus and the Gloria.
19th March 2024
Programmes for Saturdays’ concert were on sale at £2.
We rehearsed all but the first 2 choruses.
Laura reminded us that the Saturday afternoon final rehearsal will be at 2pm at St Nicholas Church. PLEASE make sure that you arrive BEFORE 2pm, to be ready for the start. The rehearsal finish time for the choir is scheduled for 5pm, but hopefully will be earlier.
12th March 2024
Before the concert on Saturday 23rd March there will be a rehearsal at St Nicholas Church from 2pm to 5pm
We were reminded that at the concert it will be our normal concert dress. If anyone needs a black folder they are on sale at the rehearsal.
Adrian told us about the car parking for the event. St Nicholas Carpark is in the park and the fees are £3.90 for 3 hours in the afternoon and £2.20 in the evening.
After the concert we will have a break from rehearsals until 8th April.
Our next concert on 29th June will be Pucchini Meta de Gloria. Stephanie has plenty of copies for hire. It is not possible to buy new copies, but second hand version are available online, but may be expensive.
6th March 2024
There was a request for more help with serving the wine at the concert.
Laura’s aim at this week’s rehearsal was to sing all of our pieces in Part 1 and then concentrate on any necessary ‘problems’.
So we sang the following in sequence:
No 1 Help Lord
No 2 Lord bow thine ear to our prayer
No 5 Yet doth the Lord see it not
No 9 Blessed are the men who fear Him
No 10 As God the Lord
No 11 Ball we cry to thee
No 12 Hear our cry, O Baal
No 12 Baal! Hear and answer
No 16 O Thou, who makes thine Angels, Spirits
No 19 O Lord though hast overthrown
No 20 Thanks be to God
She then went through in detail some parts of No 16 and No 11
Next week we will sing all of our pieces in Part 2 – page 109 onwards.
27th February 2024
Yesterday evening we rehearsed the following:
No 22 Be not afraid
No 34: Behold, God the Lord passed by!
No 24: Woe to him
No 29: He, watching over Israel
No 14: Baal! Hear and answer
22nd February 2024
Rosemary reminded us to make sure that we have put all of the ‘Sits and Stands’ she sent us in our copies ready for the concert.
Ivan welcomed us back after the half term break. He also told us that there would be a Committee Meeting during the rehearsal’s interval break.
We rehearsed the following:
No 29 He watching over Israel
No 24 Woe to him
No 42 And then shall your light break forth
No 22 Be not afraid
7th February 2024
There will not be a rehearsal next Monday 12th February, as it is half term.
Laura will send us her list of ‘Sits & Stands’ so that we can update our copies ready for the concert.
She will also send us a full list of which pieces we are singing and which ones she is omitting.
On Monday we rehearsed the following:
Page 20 No 5 ‘Yet doth the Lord see it not’
Page 115 No 22 ‘Be not afraid’
Page 59 No 11 ‘Baal we cry to thee’
Page 93 ‘O Lord, thou hast overthrown’
Pag 115 No 22 ‘Be not afraid’
30th January 2024
There were no notices from Ivan this week!
We rehearsed the following:
Page 20 No 5 ‘Yet doth the Lord see it not’
Page 59 No 11 ‘Baal we cry to thee’
Page 68 ‘Hear our Cry , O Baal!
Page 70 ‘Baal! Hear and answer’
Page 93 ‘O Lord, thou hast overthrown’
Page 99 No 20 ‘Thanks be to God’
Page 115 No 22 ‘Be not afraid’
Page 6 No 1 ‘Help Lord’
Page 47 No 9 ‘Blessed are the men that fear him’
Laura reminded us to listen to/watch as many versions of Elijah as possible, but especially recommended the Paul McGreesh version.
23rd January 2024
The rehearsal this week was taken by Colin, for which many thanks. Laura has pulled a muscle in her neck, so unfortunately she was unable to be with us. I am sure we all wish her a speedy recovery.
Our Chairman Ivan was also unable to attend, as he is on holiday in Bavaria… Hope he as a great time.
Rosemary reported that the Skittles Evening went really well. She described it as ‘superb’. She thanked the organisers Graham and Joan for all their hard work and gave them a ‘thank you’ gift.
We rehearsed the following:
Page 6 No 1 ‘Help Lord’
Page 20 No 5′ Yet doth the Lord see it not’
Page 47 No 9 ‘Blessed are the men that fear him’
Page 55 No 10 ‘As God the Lord’
Page 72 Part of No 14’Baal! Hear and answer’
Page 79 No 16 ‘O Thou who makes thine Angels, Spirits’
9th January 2024
For our first rehearsal of the new season we had a very good number of singers attend, including some new faces, which is great and who are very welcome.
Ivan reminded us of the Skittles evening on 20th January, for which there are still a few places left. please contact Rosemary.
He also mentioned the Bob Chilcott Choral Workshop on 27th January, 10.30 – 4.30 at Kenilworth Methodist Church. See Rosemary’s emai, as pre booking is essential.
We rehearsed the following from Mendelssohn’s Elijah:
No 1 Help Lord
No 2 Lord bow thine ear to our prayer
No 5 Yet doth the Lord see it not
No 41 But the Lord
No 42 And then shall your light break forth
Laura concluded by saying that she would send us her recommended sites to listen to Elijah in the next couple of days.
Below is a review of our Messiah concert in December, published in the Leamington Spa Courier.
(Click on image to be able to read it)
28th November 2023
(Click on image to be able to read it)
Ivan mentioned the newspaper article on our Mozart Concert in the Leamington Spa Courier on 24th November. It is a very good review and bodes well for the future. The article is by Clive Peacock and was very appreciative of Laura’s work.
Rosemary told us of the death of a former member of the choir – Constance Rollett (sorry if this is misspelt) She very generously left the choir a very good legacy in her will.
Laura was suffering with a bad throat and only did the first half of the Messiah rehearsal, with Colin taking the second half. We covered most of what we will be singing at the concert.
Finally Ivan told us that all the remaining rehearsals will be at Coten End Primary school, as the church will not be available on the afternoon of the concert for a rehearsal.
21st November 2023
Rosemary thanked everyone who had sold tickets and programmes.
Saturday’s concert was a success, with much positive feedback.
Comments included:
“The best the choir has ever done”
“Brilliant”
And a new member at yesterday’s rehearsal said the concert “had convinced her to come to join the choir”
Claire thanked all the people who had contributed to the event, from the publicity to setting up the venue.
14th November 2023
The final rehearsal for Saturday’s Concert will be at 2pm at St Paul’s Church, Warwick. It will conclude at 5pm.
PLEASE be at the church by 7.00pm for a pre concert warmup.
25th October 2023
Ivan reminded us that there will not be a rehearsal next Monday, 30th October, as it is half term
We rehearsed the following:
Mozart Coronation Mass:
Credo
Sanctus
Gloria
Angus Dei
Kyrie
Over the half term break Laura asked us to look at the changes from movement to movement.
16th October 2023
The evening commenced with our AGM. The minutes will be circulated ASAP to members.
The proposed Sub Committee on the Program is now complete, with a member from each of the voices.
________________
We rehearsed the following from the Mozart Coronation Mass:
Sanctus
Gloria
Credo
Agnus Dei
And the following from Mozart’s Requiem:
Kyrie
Rex Tremendae
Confutatis
Laura told us that next Monday she will be concentrating on rehearsing the Agnus Dei from the Coronation Mass, pages 51-58.
_______________
Nick Gilbert told us that he has raised a total of £3,002 for Cancer Research and thanked us for our donations.
Posters for the next concert were available and we were encouraged to distribute them as widely as possible.
10th October 2023
Ivan reminded us of the AGM next Monday. He stated that there is still time for people to join the committee.
He also stated that there will now be a new sub committee, proposed by Laura and managed by her. This a Program Sub Committee, on which members will develop a 2 year rolling programme of concerts. At the moment one alto, one tenor and one bass member is required. Please let Ivan know if you are interested.
______________
Colin was unwell yesterday, but we managed OK with Laura giving us notes on the piano.
We rehearsed the following from the Mozart Coronation Mass:
Sanctus
Kyrie
Gloria
Credo
Laura gave us a task for the week…. She would like us to listen to 5 different versions of a part of the Coronation Mass, so that we can appreciate the music more. The section to listen to is from Credo, verses 65 – 72.
________________
Finally Ivan gave us the future concert venues:
18th November St Pauls, Warwick
12th December, Messiah, St Nicholas, Kenilworth
March 2024 St Nicholas, Warwick
Summer 2024 St Johns, Kenilworth
2nd October 2023
This week we rehearsed the following:
Mozart Coronation Mass:
Sanctus
Credo
Benedictus
Gloria
Mozart Requiem:
Introitus
Sequenz
Confutatis
Lacrimosa
Offetorium
Sanctus
________
We will be sent an email listing the ‘Sits and Stands’ for he concert, which need to be added to our scores.
Ivan reminded us of the AGM and asked to new members of the committee to sign up.
26th September 2023
This week we rehearsed the following:
Mozart Requiem:
Kyrie
Communio
Agnus Dei
Sanctus
Hostias
Offertorium (from bar 43)
Mozart Coronation Mass:
Benedictus (from bar 60)
Sanctus
Credo
——————————————
Ivan reminded us of the AGM on 16th October and asked us to consider joining the committee. He thinks it is healthy to rotate members . Also he said that some of our newer members would be very welcome.
——————————————
We were invited to the following 2 events celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Divertimento Choir:
19th September 2023
This week we rehearsed the following:
Mozart Requiem:
Domine Jesu
Hostias
Rex Tremendae
Mozart Coronation Mass:
Credo
Sanctus
Nick Gilbert told us that he had received a good amount of donations for the Prostrate Cancer Awareness appeal and thanked us for our support. The appeal is still open if others wish to help.
We have since received the following information from Nick:
As many of you know, I have Prostate Cancer. Much of my 2022 was taken up with scans, surgery, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. I will never be cancer free, but I’m benefiting from more than 25 years of research into prostate cancer treatments.
That’s why I’ve signed up for Prostate Cancer UK’s March the Month. I’m currently planning to raise more than £2500 for Prostate Cancer Research by walking 11000 steps a day, every day in September, to help eliminate the 11000 deaths every year from Prostate Cancer! That’s one man dying every 45minutes! I am currently still on target having walked more than 11000 steps everyday for three weeks!!
I’d be really grateful if you would consider making a donation to this worthy cause!
Here’s the link to my Just Giving page.
https://marchthemonth.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/nick-gilberts-march-the-month-for-prostatecan
Thanks in anticipation!
Nick
12th September 2023
Ivan began the rehearsal by letting us know that there will be some rehearsal photographs taken for publication on Facebook. If anyone would not like to be included can they please let Jenny know, so that they can be excluded from the files.
The first part of last night’s rehearsal covered pieces form the Mozart Requiem:
No 3 Rex Tremendae
No 5 Confutatis
No 8 Lacrimosa
No 1 Domine Jesu
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During the interval Nick Gilbert told us about a Prostrate Cancer Awareness week this month, that we will be donating to. Rosemary will contact members for donations. Hope many of us can donate.
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In the second part of the rehearsal we covered the Coronation Mass:
No 1 Kyrie
No 2 Gloria
Angus Dei (page 55)
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Finally Laura asked us to listen to as many versions of the music that we can to get a good feel for the music.
6th September 2023
It was very good to welcome lots of new members on Monday. Hope they all enjoyed themselves and that we see them again!
It was great to welcome our new Musical Director, Laura. We went through most of the Mozart Requiem and several of the pieces in the Coronation Mass. it was enjoyable.
Rosemary reminded us that our subscriptions are now due and asked for bank details if we want to pay online.
11th July 2023
Saturday Concert 15th July:
The afternoon rehearsal will begin at 2pm until 5pm.
Members who wish to help with the set up will be welcome from 1.30pm
Facilities will be available for those members who want to stay at the church between the rehearsal and the concert.
Monday Audition 17th July:
The Musical Director audition at Coten End School when the choir members will help to chose our new conductor will start at 7pm (not 7:30)
We hope that as many of the choir as possible will come and help. The selected candidates (3-4 at present) will each take a part of the rehearsal and our opinions will count towards the final result.
They will rehearse pieces from:
The Greatest Choral Classics (from Saturday’s concert) and The Messiah, so please bring these with you.
Also for those who have rented copies of Saturday’s music please bring these to hand back.
After the audition there will be a short Choir Social
27th June 2023
The rehearsal was taken by Colin.
Ivan told us that the dress code for the Summer Concert will include the following:
Ladies can wear a bright coloured top.
Gentlemen can be in their shirt sleeves, but they must wear a bow tie as usual.
He then reminded us of the collection plate for David. His presentation will be at the Summer Concert.
We rehearsed the following:
Zadok the Priest: Brahms
The Oak & the Ash
The Turtle Dove
I was glad when they said unto me
Afton Water
Ca’ the Yowes
20th June 2023
We rehearsed the following:
Ave Verum Corpus: Mozart
Hear My Prayer: Mendelssohn
The Oak & the Ash
How Lovely are All Thy Dwellings: Brahms
Zadok the Priest: Brahms
I was glad when they said unto me
15th June 2023
WKCS Summer Concert, 15 July 2023
Revised running order
The concert now incorporates an interval, so the running order has been re-arranged; the first half will now end with Hear my prayer, and the second half starts with Zadok the Priest.
I was glad – Parry (7 mins)
Cantique de Jean Raçine – Fauré (5 mins)
Panis Angelicus – Franck (4 mins)
Afton Water – arr. Willcocks (4 mins)
Ca’ the yowes – Vaughan Williams (4 mins)
Ave Verum Corpus – Mozart (3 mins)
Hear my prayer – Mendelssohn
INTERVAL
Zadok the Priest – Handel (6 mins)
The oak and the ash – Bairstow (4 mins)
The turtle dove – Vaughan Williams (4 mins)
Locus Iste – Bruckner (3 mins)
How lovely are all thy dwellings – Brahms (6 mins)
Hallelujah – Handel (5 mins)
Encore, Jerusalem – Parry (3 mins)
13th June 2023
Rosemary reminded us of the audition date of 17th July, when we hope that as many of the choir as possible can come and help to choose our new conductor. The selected candidates will each take a part of the rehearsal and our opinions will count towards the final result.
She also told us of the death of Ralph Treadwell, a former member of our choir.
Adrian then told us that the handover of the Charity donation we raised at the last concert will be handed over to Myton Hospice at 2.15pm on 13th June.
Colin was unavailable so Antoine played for us, for which many thanks.
We rehearsed the following pieces:
Ave Verum Corpus – Mozart
Locus Iste – Bruckner
Hear my Prayer – Mendelssohn
Cantique de Jean Racine – Faure
Ca the Yowes – Scottish Folk song
David reminded us to practice at home as much as possible
8th June 2023
Great result for the Verdi concert in aid of
Myton Hospice!
The total amount raised was £4571, (including bucket collection, and direct donations), which far exceeds our initial expectations. There will soon be a ceremony when committee members hand over a cheque to Myton. Tremendous effort by the combined forces of Coventry Philharmonic Society, ourselves and the Leamington Chamber Orchestra. And we had a tremendous concert on top!
6th June 2023
David was indisposed so Colin took the rehearsal.
Ivan told us that the scheduled Social Evening on 17th July will now be part of the audition process for our new Musical Director. 3- 4 of the preferred candidates will rehearse with us and our opinions on them will help make the final decision.
We rehearsed ‘Hear My Prayer’ by Mendelsson (page 149 of ‘The Greatest Choral Classics) and ‘Ca’ the Yowes’, Scottish Folk song, page 8 of Folk-Songs for Choirs 2′
28th March 2023
We now have the next two Mondays with no rehearsal. The next rehearsal is 17th April. However David asked us to rehearse hard and long at home, so we continue our preparation for the concert.
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Ticket sales are going very well and we were asked to return any of our unsold tickets to Adrian
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We were reminded that we will need to have a black folder to hold the music at the concert.
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Ivan mentioned that parking might be tight at the concert venue. He will give details of where to park later, but asked us to seriously consider car sharing for the concert.
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We were told that help will be needed to clear the chairs etc away after the concert, so please consider helping with this.
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And finally we were reminded of the Spiers concert on 15th April at the Coventry Central Hall and encouraged to attend.
21st March 2023
The joint rehearsal with the Coventry Philharmonic this Thursday will be back at Quinton Park Baptist Church , Cheylesmore, Coventry, CV3 5PZ
We were reminded that next Monday’s rehearsal will be the last before Easter, as we are having 2 rehearsal breaks this Easter , so we will not be rehearsing on the 3rd or the 10th of April, so back on the 17th April.
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Adrian gave us details of an upcoming concert by the Spires Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus on 15th April at the Coventry Central Hall. This concert includes the UK Premiere of the Mass in E flat by Amy Beach.
14th March 2023
The joint rehearsal with the Coventry Philharmonic this Thursday will be at 7.15 at the St Thomas More Church, 112 Knoll Drive, Styvechale. Please see St Thomas More, Coventry | Birmingham Diocesan Trust (birminghamdiocese.org.uk) for more information and a map.
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The choir has provisionally registered to take part in the Talisman Thetare Fringe event, which takes place in Kenilworth on 5th October.
This is a PR event, which takes place at the Holiday Inn. Choirs are allocated a 20 minute slot. This should be a great fun evening with a very talented crowd,
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Adrian updated us on our fundraising for the Myton Hospice. We have raised £2,000 so far and will continue with our sponsorship. Choir members will be sent an email encouraging us to find more donors / sponsors.
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The rehearsal concentrated on No 1 Requiem and No 7 Libera Me. David asked us to learn page 175 by memory for next week’s rehearsal.
1st March 2023
We rehearsed the Libera Me Chorus in detail, paying particular attention to the key changes, and the Agnus Dei.
In the second half we did some part work on the Sanctus.
There was an announcement about the rehearsal times on Thursday 27th April at All Saints. The choir are asked to be there from 6.30pm onwards for a 7pm start.
That is half an hour earlier than previously mentioned.